Oral Tranexamic Acid and Topical Hydroquinone in the Treatment of Melasma

Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind Study of Oral Tranexamic Acid and Topical Hydroquinone in the Treatment of Melasma

This study assess the effectiveness of oral tranexamic acid in combination with hydroquinone cream in the treatment of melasma.

Hydroquinone (HQ) is considered the gold standard depigmenting agent for melasma, nevertheless, many patients are recalcitrant to this treatment.

Recent studies have shown that tranexamic acid, a plasmin inhibitor, can prevent UV-induced pigmentation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• moderate melasma (subject with mMASI score of 5 to 7.9),
• severe melasma (subject with mMASI score ≥ 8),
• willing to follow up for 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnant women,
• nursing women,
• women on exogenous hormones
• current treatment with blood thinners,
• had a history of thrombosis,
• had an abnormal kidney function,
• use of topical hydroquinone within 3 months of study enrollment,
• use of topical steroids, vitamin A analogs, chemical peels within 1 month of study