Ethamsylate is a type of antihemorrhagic drug.
This means it's primarily used to reduce bleeding. More specifically, ethamsylate helps to:
- Strengthen capillary walls: This reduces the likelihood of blood vessels breaking and leaking.
- Promote platelet adhesion: This helps the blood to clot more effectively at the site of injury.
Ethamsylate is commonly prescribed for the following conditions:
- Menorrhagia: Heavy menstrual bleeding (periods that last longer than 7 days). It is sometimes used even if the patient is using an IUD.
- Small vessel hemorrhage: Bleeding from small blood vessels.
- Prophylaxis of periventricular hemorrhage in neonates: Preventing bleeding in the brain in premature babies.
While ethamsylate helps to reduce bleeding, it's important to remember that it doesn't treat the underlying cause of the bleeding. It addresses the symptoms and helps the body's natural clotting mechanisms work more effectively.
