Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Melasma: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Tranexamic acid is a novel treatment option for melasma; however, there is no consensus on its use. This systematic review searched major databases for relevant publications to March 2016. Eleven studies with 667 participants were included. Pooled data from tranexamic acid-only observational studies...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hyun Jung Kim, Seok Hoon Moon, Sang Hyun Cho, Jeong Deuk Lee, Hei Sung Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Medical Journals Sweden 2017-04-01
Series:Acta Dermato-Venereologica
Subjects:
Online Access: https://www.medicaljournals.se/acta/content/html/10.2340/00015555-2668
Description
Summary:Tranexamic acid is a novel treatment option for melasma; however, there is no consensus on its use. This systematic review searched major databases for relevant publications to March 2016. Eleven studies with 667 participants were included. Pooled data from tranexamic acid-only observational studies with pre- and post-treatment Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) showed a decrease of 1.60 in MASI (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20–2.00; p < 0.001) after treat­ment with tranexamic acid. The addition of tranexamic acid to routine treatment modalities resulted in a further decrease in MASI of 0.94 (95% CI 0.10–1.79; p = 0.03). Side-effects were minor, with a few cases reporting hypo­menorrhoea, mild abdominal discomfort, and transient skin irritation. These results support the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid, either alone or as an adjuvant to routine treatment modalities for melasma.
ISSN:0001-5555
1651-2057