Tranexamic acid quantification in human whole blood using liquid samples or volumetric absorptive microsampling devices.

Background: Recent clinical trials demonstrate the benefits of the antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid but its pharmacokinetics remain to be investigated more in depth. Although pharmacokinetics studies are usually performed with plasma, volumetric absorptive microsampling devices allow us to analyze dried whole blood samples with several advantages. Materials & methods: High-sensitivity LC-MS/MS methods for the quantification of tranexamic acid in human whole blood using liquid samples or dry samples on volumetric absorptive microsampling devices were developed and validated based on International Association from Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology, European Medicines Agency and US FDA guidance. Conclusion: The method performances were excellent across the range of clinically relevant concentrations. The stability of tranexamic acid in blood samples stored up to 1 month at +50°C was demonstrated. The methods' suitability was confirmed with clinical samples.