Is tranexamic acid effective in treating melasma?

There are many ways to remove chloasma, but we also need to pay attention to the correct choice of which method is more effective. Tranexamic acid can also achieve certain effects in the treatment of chloasma, and oral tranexamic acid is also the preferred drug for the treatment of chloasma.

1. It is a recognized fact that oral tranexamic acid (Tosemin) has a good therapeutic effect on melasma. It’s just that tranexamic acid is used to treat melasma and is more commonly used in Japan. In fact, tranexamic acid is a relatively cheap and effective drug, and its long-term toxic and side effects are relatively few.

2. The mechanism of action of tranexamic acid in treating chloasma is still not fully understood. Relevant researchers believe that cytokines activate the proliferation of pigment cells or a certain link of melanin formation, and tranexamic acid may have the effect of inhibiting cytokines, so the effect of treating chloasma is more obvious. In addition, some people believe that tranexamic acid can block a certain link in the formation of melanin.

3. Regardless of which mechanism is at work, there is no doubt that tranexamic acid is effective in treating melasma. Some researchers even believe that tranexamic acid is the drug of choice for oral treatment of melasma.

4. Relevant research in Japan found that under normal circumstances, tranexamic acid will be effective after taking it for 1 to 2 months, but about 10% to 20% of patients will relapse after stopping the drug. Taking tranexamic acid again will still be effective.

5. Regarding the use of tranexamic acid in the treatment of chloasma, early reports recommended 1500 mg per day, or 6 capsules of 250 mg, taken orally in 3 divided doses. However, some doctors believe that 500 mg per day (2 pills a day, one pill each time) also has a good therapeutic effect.