On the other hand, tranexamic acid compared unfavorably with LNG-IUS (1 RCT, 42 patients), showing a lower likelihood of improvement (RR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24-0.77). Whereas 85% of women improved with LNG-IUS, only 20% to 65% of women improved with tranexamic acid (NNT = 2 to 6).
No statistical difference was found in gastrointestinal adverse effects, headache, vaginal dryness, or dysmenorrhea.4 Only 1 thromboembolic event occurred in the 2 studies that reported this outcome, a known risk that prohibits its concomitant use with combination OCPs.
Different NSAIDs, equivalent efficacy
A 2013 Cochrane review of 18 RCTs included 8 (84 patients) that compared NSAIDs (5 MFA, 2 naproxen, 1 ibuprofen) with placebo.5 In 6 trials, NSAIDs produced a significant reduction in MBL compared with placebo, although most were crossover trials that couldn’t be compiled into the meta-analysis.
One trial (11 patients) showed a mean reduction of 124 mL (95% CI, 62-186 mL) in the MFA group. In another trial, women were less likely to report no improvement in the MFA group than in the placebo group (odds ratio [OR] = 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03-0.18). No NSAID had significantly higher efficacy than the others.
Danazol was superior to NSAIDs in a meta-analysis of 3 trials (79 patients) with a mean difference of 45 mL (95% CI, 19-71 mL), as was tranexamic acid in a single trial (48 patients) with a mean difference of 73 mL (95% CI, 22-124 mL).5 Comparisons with OCPs, oral progesterone, and an older model of LNG-IUS showed no significant differences. The most common adverse effects were gastrointestinal.
Continue to: Danazol linked to weight gain and other adverse effects