From the Research
Dicynone, also known as etamsylate, is a hemostatic medication used to prevent and treat capillary bleeding, with its effectiveness and safety profile supported by various studies, including 1, which found no association between antifibrinolytic agents like tranexamic acid and increased risk of thromboembolic events.
Key Points About Dicynone
- Dicynone works by improving platelet adhesion and restoring capillary resistance, helping to reduce bleeding time.
- It is typically prescribed for managing hemorrhage from small blood vessels in various situations, including surgical procedures, epistaxis (nosebleeds), and menorrhagia (heavy menstrual bleeding).
- The usual adult dosage ranges from 250-500 mg every 4-6 hours, available in both oral tablet form and injectable solutions.
- For surgical procedures, it's often administered before and after surgery to minimize bleeding complications.
- When used for menorrhagia, treatment typically begins at the onset of menstruation and continues throughout the period.
Safety and Side Effects
- Side effects are generally mild and may include headache, rash, or mild gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Dicynone does not affect blood coagulation factors or platelet count, making it different from other hemostatic agents.
- It should be used with caution in patients with porphyria and is not recommended for treating major arterial or venous hemorrhage, as it's specifically designed for capillary bleeding.
Evidence Base
- Studies such as 1 and 2 provide evidence on the use of antifibrinolytic agents in managing bleeding, though they primarily focus on tranexamic acid rather than dicynone directly.
- The safety of tranexamic acid in terms of thrombotic adverse events and seizure is being investigated in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, as outlined in 3, which aims to evaluate the incidence of these events and how the effect of TXA varies by dose and underlying disease.