title: Tranexamic acid in treatment of melasma: A comprehensive review of clinical studies.
abstract: Melasma is a human melanogenesis dysfunction that results in localized, chronic acquired hyperpigmentation of the skin. It has a significant impact on appearance, causing psychosocial and emotional distress, and reducing the quality of life of the affected patients. Tranexamic acid (TA) is a plasmin inhibitor used to prevent abnormal fibrinolysis to reduce blood loss and exerts its effect by reversibly blocking lysine binding sites on plasminogen molecules, thus inhibiting plasminogen activator (PA) from converting plasminogen to plasmin. As plasminogen also exists in human epidermal basal cells and cultured human keratinocyte are known to produce PA, there is basic rationale that TA will affect keratinocyte function and interaction. A thorough literature review indicates that while TA is used through various route of administration including oral, topical, and intradermal injection and as adjutant therapy with laser to treat melasma, its efficacy is not established adequately. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of TA in treatment of melasma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6219-198X
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Niknam
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Razi Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir Houshang
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ehsani
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008548:Melanosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011788:Quality of Life; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid
keywords: hyperpigmentation; melasma; tranexamic acid