Eunice Del Rosario1, Stephanie Florez-Pollack1, Lucio Zapata1, Katia Hernandez1, Andrea Tovar-Garza1, Michelle Rodrigues2, Linda S Hynan3, Amit G Pandya4. 1. Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. 2. Department of Dermatology, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; The Skin and Cancer Foundation Inc, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. 4. Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address: amit.pandya@utsouthwestern.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder that is often difficult to treat. Tranexamic acid (TA) has emerged as a promising treatment for melasma; however, few controlled studies exist. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of oral TA in patients with moderate-to-severe melasma. METHODS:Patients with moderate-to-severe melasma were treated with 250 mg of TA or placebo capsules twice daily for 3 months and sunscreen followed by 3 months of treatment with sunscreen only. The primary outcome measure was the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were enrolled and 39 completed the study. At 3 months, there was a 49% reduction in mMASI score in the TA group versus 18% in the control group. Patients with severe melasma improved more than those with moderate melasma. Three months after treatment was stopped, there was a 26% reduction in mMASI score in the TA group compared with the baseline visit versus a 19% reduction in the placebo arm. No serious adverse events were noted in either group. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study enrolling predominantly Hispanic women. CONCLUSIONS:Oral TA appears to be an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe melasma with minimal side effects.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder that is often difficult to treat. Tranexamic acid (TA) has emerged as a promising treatment for melasma; however, few controlled studies exist. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of oral TA in patients with moderate-to-severe melasma. METHODS:Patients with moderate-to-severe melasma were treated with 250 mg of TA or placebo capsules twice daily for 3 months and sunscreen followed by 3 months of treatment with sunscreen only. The primary outcome measure was the modified Melasma Area and Severity Index (mMASI) score. RESULTS: A total of 44 patients were enrolled and 39 completed the study. At 3 months, there was a 49% reduction in mMASI score in the TA group versus 18% in the control group. Patients with severe melasma improved more than those with moderate melasma. Three months after treatment was stopped, there was a 26% reduction in mMASI score in the TA group compared with the baseline visit versus a 19% reduction in the placebo arm. No serious adverse events were noted in either group. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study enrolling predominantly Hispanic women. CONCLUSIONS: Oral TA appears to be an effective treatment for moderate-to-severe melasma with minimal side effects.
Authors: Lei Zhang; Wei-Qiang Tan; Qing-Qing Fang; Wan-Yi Zhao; Qi-Ming Zhao; Jie Gao; Xiao-Wei Wang Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2018-11-06 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Daniel P Cassiano; Ana Cláudia C Espósito; Carolina N da Silva; Paula B Lima; Joana A F Dias; Karime Hassun; Luciane D B Miot; Hélio A Miot; Ediléia Bagatin Journal: Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) Date: 2022-07-29