7 Lysteda Side Effects and How to Manage Them

If your monthly period is so heavy that you’re soaking through your clothes and afraid to leave the house, you may have heavy menstrual bleeding. This may mean changing your tampon or pad every hour for several hours in a row. Or, it could mean that you're passing clots the size of a quarter — or larger.

Either way, dealing with heavy periods can interfere with everyday life. Many women deal with heavy bleeding for years before seeking help. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Lysteda (tranexamic acid) is a prescription medicine that’s FDA approved to treat heavy monthly periods in women who can become pregnant. Lysteda isn’t meant to stop your period altogether, but it has been shown in clinical studies to lower the amount of blood loss during your monthly period by about one-third.

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Lysteda’s benefits outweigh its risks for many women. But like all medications, Lysteda side effects are possible. It’s important to be aware of what to look for and when to get help from a healthcare provider.

Lysteda and tranexamic acid side effects at a glance

Several Lysteda side effects were reported in clinical studies. The most common side effects include:

• Headache

• Sinus and nasal symptoms

• Back pain

• Muscle or joint pain

• Abdominal pain

• Muscle cramps and spasms

• Anemia

• Fatigue

• Migraine

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

 Less common, but potentially serious side effects are:

• Blood clots

• Eye changes

• Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis

 Let’s take a closer look at seven notable Lysteda side effects and how to manage them.

1. Headache

A headache is one of the most common Lysteda side effects. Most headaches tend to go away on their own.

In the meantime, you can take steps to manage headaches at home. Avoiding alcohol, prioritizing your sleep, and optimizing your water intake are all good places to start. It may also be beneficial to decrease your caffeine intake and manage stress using relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.

Tips like these won’t always be enough. Your healthcare provider may suggest an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), for headache relief when necessary.

If your headache doesn't go away or you can feel it getting worse, check in with your provider. Severe headaches may require emergency medical care, especially if they’re accompanied by other symptoms — such as neck stiffness and fever.

2. Common cold symptoms

You may develop some sinus and nasal symptoms while taking Lysteda. These can include congestion in your nose, respiratory tract, or sinuses. Sinus headache and sinus pain are also possible symptoms. These symptoms are generally temporary. 

If your symptoms are bothering you, you can try OTC cough and cold products like decongestants, pain relievers, or nasal sprays. One popular nasal decongestant is oxymetazoline (Afrin), but it shouldn’t be used for more than 3 days in a row due to rebound congestion risks. You can also try a saline nasal spray, which can help moisten nasal passages that are irritated. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is another option, but it may not be safe for everyone. Your pharmacist can help you choose a product that addresses your symptoms in a safe way.

If your symptoms don’t go away within 10 days, let your healthcare provider know. They can help you determine next steps. 

3. Back pain

Back pain is another potential Lysteda side effect. If it interferes with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare provider. They may suggest an OTC pain reliever. You can also try other options, such as an ice pack or heating pad, to relieve discomfort. Keep in mind that back pain can also be a common symptom of a period.

If your back pain is getting worse or it’s not going away, let your provider know, too. Sometimes, back pain can be severe, and depending on the location and other symptoms, it can be a sign of a more serious condition. Your provider can help you figure out if your pain is related to Lysteda or not. 

4. Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is another possible Lysteda side effect. When it happens, it tends to feel like discomfort and tenderness in the stomach area. Abdominal pain can also be a symptom of your period.

Be sure to tell your provider right away if your abdominal pain happens often or if it’s getting worse. There can be many different reasons for pain in your abdomen, so your provider can help determine why you’re having pain and next steps for treatment. 

However, if you’re having severe abdominal pain, go to the nearest ER or call 911.

5. Muscle or joint pain

Some people may experience muscle or joint pain while taking Lysteda. This includes tender muscles as well as joint stiffness and swelling. Any of these symptoms can make it harder to do normal everyday activities, especially if they impair your range of motion.

This type of pain tends to go away on its own. But there may also be instances in which certain steps are needed to manage it. Low-impact exercise, such as swimming and stretching, can help get you moving without the added stress on your joints. Physical therapy can also help. OTC pain relievers are available options when needed.

6. Vision and eye problems

While rare, some people taking Lysteda report experiencing eye problems. These include impaired color vision or other visual changes. Lysteda can also cause retinal artery or vein occlusion, a blockage of blood going to or away from the retina of the eye.

If you notice any sudden vision changes or other eye-related problems, stop taking Lysteda and contact your provider right away. They’ll likely refer you to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

7. Blood clots

In some cases, Lysteda can cause blood clots. This stems from how the medication works to treat heavy periods.

Symptoms of a blood clot include sudden swelling, redness, pain in an arm or leg. Blood clots can be harmful and can lead to issues in other areas of your body, such as your lungs (pulmonary embolism) or brain (stroke). These conditions are life-threatening. If you’re having trouble breathing, chest pain, or weakness on one side of your body, these could be symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs or brain.

Call 911 or go to the nearest ER if you experience any symptoms like these.

Factors that increase blood clot risks

If you take Lysteda, it’s important to note that you may have a higher risk of developing a serious blood clot in certain situations:

• You take other medications that increase your blood clot risk, such as oral tretinoin or a birth control product that contains estrogen

• You’re 35 years old or older

• You smoke cigarettes

• You’re stationary for long periods of time

Before you begin taking Lysteda, talk to your provider about your medical history and let them know if you have ever had a blood clot. You shouldn’t take Lysteda if you’ve had blood clots before or if you’re at risk of developing them.

When to contact a healthcare provider about Lysteda side effects

Many Lysteda side effects, such as headaches and common cold symptoms, can be managed at home. But even if your symptoms feel mild, it doesn’t hurt to check in with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned.

It’s more important to contact your provider if you’re not able to get relief from side effects you’re experiencing or if any side effects become concerning at any point. You know your body best and are best equipped to recognize when something isn’t feeling normal. 

While rare, serious side effects are also possible. Seek immediate help if you experience:

• Chest pain or shortness of breath

• Sudden redness, pain, or warmth in the arm or leg

• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body

• Severe headache or dizziness

• Slurred speech or sudden confusion

• Sudden vision changes

Severe allergic reactions are also possible in some cases. If you develop facial swelling or difficulty breathing, go to the nearest ER or call 911. 

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Written by:

Tanya Kertsman, PharmD

Tanya Kertsman has been a licensed pharmacist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for 13 years. She has worked in the pharmaceutical industry in medical affairs for 7 years, developing and reviewing medical content for consumers and healthcare professionals.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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