Abstract
Background: Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis; treatment of which is challenging. Tranexamic acid is new modality for melasma. This is the first clinical study comparing single drug tranexamic acid in three different forms i.e. oral, soaks and cream in treatment of melasma.
Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy profile of oral tranexamic acid v/s tranexamic acid soaks v/s tranexamic acid cream in the treatment of melasma.
Materials And Methods: 90 patients of melasma were enrolled in the study. They were divided into three groups. 30 patients were treated with oral tranexamic acid (250 mg twice daily), 30 with tranexanic acid solution (5ml) soaks and 30 with tranexamic acid cream twice daily. Efficacy parameters used were Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI), Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Efficacy was evaluated fortnightly for a period of twelve weeks.
Results: At the end of the study there was 95.8%, 47.6% and 19.6% reduction in MASI score in the oral, compresses and cream groups respectively. The response to oral tranexamic acid was more efficacious compared to tranexamic acid soaks which showed fairer results and then tranexamic acid cream. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The side effects were minimal and did not necessitate withdrawal of treatment.
Conclusion: Oral tranexamic acid, tranexamic acid soaks and tranexamic acid cream are efficacious in the treatment of melasma. However, oral tranexamic acid is more efficacious followed by soaks and then the cream which is least effective.
Keyword: Melasma, Tranexamic acid.
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Corresponding Author
Shraddha J. Patil
Department of Dermatology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences,
Karad, Maharashtra, India-415110
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone No- 8412914684
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i2.23
