Use of Tranexamic Acid in SARS-COV-2: Boon or Bane?

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Pharmacology
• Hematology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 presents a significant global health challenge.
• Effective treatments for COVID-19 remain limited, necessitating exploration of existing drugs.
• Tranexamic acid (TXA), known for dermatological uses, possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of tranexamic acid (TXA) in managing COVID-19.
• To evaluate TXA's efficacy in mitigating COVID-19 symptoms and complications.
• To assess the safety profile of TXA in COVID-19 patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on tranexamic acid's properties.
• Analysis of clinical observations regarding TXA's effects in COVID-19 patients.
• Evaluation of TXA's anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant mechanisms.

Main Results:

• TXA demonstrated potential in suppressing cytokine storms and modulating coagulopathy in COVID-19.
• Early administration of TXA was associated with decreased symptom severity.
• A significant risk of life-threatening thrombosis was identified when TXA was used as monotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Tranexamic acid exhibits potential therapeutic benefits for COVID-19 by addressing key pathological mechanisms.
• The anti-fibrinolytic and anti-inflammatory actions of TXA are relevant to COVID-19 treatment.
• Caution is advised due to the thrombotic risk associated with TXA monotherapy in COVID-19 patients.