Role of Oral Tranexamic Acid in Treating Patients of Melasma in A Charity Hospital of Lahore

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma Method: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study which was performed in department of dermatology in Akhtar Saeed Trust Hospital, Lahore from April till December 2019. 70 patients of moderate to severe melasma were enrolled regardless of gender, > 18 years of age. 250 mg oral TA was given BD for 3 months along with broad spectrum topical sunscreen. Follow up done on monthly basis, 2 months after stopping the treatment. Photographs were taken at first visit & MASI (melasma area severity index) scoring done at start & after 3 months of treatment. Side effects were noted down if present. Results were recorded & analysed using SPSS. Results: A total of 70 patients were enrolled, 44 females and 26 males. Mean age of patients was 30.7. There was a significant decrease mean 3.4 in MASI scoring at 12 wks of treatment. 25 patients had good, 22 had fair, 7 had fair response to TA. No serious side effects were noted at end of treatment. No reversal of melasma was recorded at 2 months after stopping treatment. Conclusion: Oral tranexamic acid is a quick & effective treatment of patients of melasma.