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Oral Melatonin Versus Oral Tranexamic Acid in the Management of Melasma

Efficacy of Oral Melatonin Versus Oral Tranexamic Acid in the Management of Melasma

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07169383
Acronym
Melasma
Enrollment
160
Registered
2025-09-11
Start date
2025-06-28
Completion date
2025-12-28
Last updated
2025-09-11

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Melasma (Facial Melasma)

Keywords

Management of Melasma

Brief summary

This study will compare the efficacy of oral melatonin and oral tranexamic acid in treating melasma, with the aim of determining whether melatonin is more effective than tranexamic acid, as measured by MASI scores. Literature suggests melatonin may be more effective due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic properties. The findings will assess whether melatonin provides better efficacy and tolerance compared to tranexamic acid in managing this persistent condition. Efficacy will be assessed by comparing the baseline MASI scores with the scores obtained at six-week and twelve-week follow-up points based on the following cut-offs: \<25% improvement Mild response 25-50% improvement Moderate Response 51-75% improvement Good response \>75% improvement Excellent Response

Detailed description

This study will compare the efficacy of oral melatonin and oral tranexamic acid in treating melasma.Literature suggests melatonin may be more effective due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-melanogenic properties.Efficacy will be assessed by comparing the baseline MASI scores with the scores obtained at six-week and twelve-week follow-up points based on the following cut-offs: \<25% improvement Mild response 25-50% improvement Moderate Response 51-75% improvement Good response \>75% improvement Excellent Response It's a Randomized Control Trial conducted at PAEC General Hospital. Study period is of 6 months.Total sample size is 180 patents.The sample is divided into two groups, with 80 patients assigned to each treatment.This study hypothesizes that oral melatonin will be more effective than oral tranexamic acid in reducing the severity of melasma, as measured by changes in the Melasma Area and Severity Index.

Interventions

DRUGMelatonin tablet

Group A will receive oral melatonin 5mg every night for 3 months

DRUGTranexamic Acid (TXA)

Group B will receive oral tranexamic acid 250mg twice daily for 3 months.

Sponsors

Hina Malik
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

Efficacy of oral melatonin and oral tranexamic acid in the management of melasma is given in patients to assess the effect of both the drugs. Two groups containing 80 participants in each. Group A is assigned oral melatonin 5mg every night for 3 months while Group B is assigned oral tranexamic acid 250mg twice daily for 3 months and then MASI score is calculated at Day One , 6 weeks and at 12 weeks.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients aged 18-50 years diagnosed with melasma. * Both genders. *

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with contraindications to melatonin, including pregnancy, breastfeeding, autoimmune disorders, bleeding disorders, and diabetes, or contraindications to tranexamic acid, including thromboembolic events, history of thrombosis, renal impairment, and pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the medications. * Patients already taking treatment of melasma

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total participants are 160, 80 in Group A and 80 in Group B12 weeksGroup A will receive oral melatonin 5mg HS for 12 weeks and Group B will receive oral tranexamic acid 250 mg BD for 12 weeks and then the improvement will be assessed by calculating MASI score at day 1, 6weeks and 12 weeks.MASI score less than 10 is considered mild , 11-20 is considered moderate and more than 20 is considered Severe Melasma. An improvement greater than 25% in the MASI score will be considered as the threshold for treatment efficacy.
Efficacy of Oral Melatonin VS Oral Tranexamic Acid in the management of Melasma12 weeksAs per literature Melatonin may be more effective due to its Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic properties. The findings will assess whether Melatonin provides better efficacy and tolerance compared to Tranexamic Acid in managing Melasma.An improvement greater than 25% in the MASI score will be considered as the threshold for treatment efficacy.

Countries

Pakistan

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026