Gov’t Approves Use of 2 Drugs to Prevent Excessive Bleeding During Birth

The government has approved the use of two key medications, Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and Heat-Stable Carbetocin (HSC), to combat excessive bleeding during childbirth.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 18, the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS) said the drugs have now been greenlighted for use in all health facilities across the country. 

"Kenya has approved Tranexamic Acid (TXA) and Heat-Stable Carbetocin (HSC) for use in all health facilities to prevent and treat PostPartum Haemorrhage (PPH) — the leading cause of maternal death in the country," the statement read.

Both medications are cost-effective and do not require refrigeration, making them ideal for use in facilities with limited infrastructure.

Tranexamic Acid (TXA) is a medication classified as an antifibrinolytic agent, which means it helps control bleeding by preventing the breakdown of blood clots. 

It works by blocking the action of enzymes that dissolve fibrin, the protein responsible for forming blood clots. 

In the context of childbirth, TXA is used to treat and prevent excessive bleeding after delivery, a condition known as postpartum haemorrhage (PPH)

Heat-Stable Carbetocin (HSC) is a synthetic version of oxytocin, a hormone that naturally causes the uterus to contract. 

HSC is designed to be stable at high temperatures, which distinguishes it from regular oxytocin that requires refrigeration. 

HSC is administered immediately after childbirth, typically via injection, and plays a key role in preventing uterine atony, a condition where the uterus fails to contract effectively after delivery.