January 2023 Quick Question: Tranexamic Acid

On October 25, 2022, I [Geo] had total knee replacement surgery. Just before becoming unconscious, I asked the anesthesiologist what was in the IV. I was surprised to learn one of my therapeutics was tranexamic acid [TXA], whose purpose was to control bleeding. TXA has been around for a long time, but I’m curious about how many of us understand its mechanism. Our January 2023 Quick Question asks, “What is the target of the anti-hemorrhagic agent tranexamic acid?” I look forward to your answers.