Tranexamic acid in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

The effect of the antifibrinolytic substance, tranexamic acid, has been studied in 5 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The results of these trials have varied with regard to blood transfusion requirements and the frequency of operations. All of the studies have shown lower mortality in patients treated with tranexamic acid. Thus tranexamic acid would seem to be indicated in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding.