MECHANISM OF ACTION 

• Competitively inhibits the activation of plasminogen to plasmin, thereby reducing fibrin clot degradation.
• At high doses can directly inhibit plasmin activity.

INDICATIONS 

• Menorrhagia.
• Epistaxis.
• Thrombolytic overdose.
• Prevent excessive bleeding (dental extraction in haemophilia)

CAUTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS

• Thromboembolic disease
• SIDE-EFFECTS
• GI disturbance.
• Disturbance in colour vision.

METABOLISM AND HALF-LIFE 

• Plasma t½ is between 2–3h.

MONITORING 

• No specific drug monitoring required.
• Eye tests for long-term treatment.

DRUG INTERACTIONS

• Counters the effects of fibrinolytic agents (e.g. streptokinase, alteplase)

IMPORTANT POINTS

• Treatment should be initiated during menstruation when managing menorrhagia