---
title: "Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma…"
description: "Oral tranexamic acid combined with routine topical agents is the most effective treatment for melasma, with oral TA alone showing faster short-term…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d38059683"
journal: "J Cosmet Dermatol"
year: 2023
pmid: "38059683"
doi: "10.1111/jocd.16104"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a network meta-analysis

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for…

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/d38059683

## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | J Cosmet Dermatol |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | [38059683](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38059683/) |
| DOI | [10.1111/jocd.16104](https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16104) |
| Study key | d38059683 |

## Takeaway

Oral tranexamic acid combined with routine topical agents is the most effective treatment for melasma, with oral TA alone showing faster short-term effects.

## The question

What are the comparative efficacy and safety of different administration methods of tranexamic acid (TA) for treating melasma?

## Hypothesis

The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of various TA administration methods for melasma.

## Methods

A network meta-analysis was conducted by collecting research from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The severity of melasma was evaluated using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI), and the curative effect was assessed by comparing the change in MASI (ΔMASI) after treatment with different TA administration methods at specific time points.

## Results

At Weeks 4, 8, 12, and the last follow-up, oral TA combined with routine topical agents (oTA + RTA) showed a higher ΔMASI than intradermal TA (iTA), topical TA (tTA), and microneedling TA (MNsTA), with statistical significance. At Week 8, oral TA (oTA) had a statistically significantly higher ΔMASI than iTA. Compared to placebo, oTA showed statistically significant differences at Week 4, while tTA, iTA, and MNsTA showed statistically significant differences starting from Week 8.

## Conclusion

Among the various TA administration methods, oTA + RTA has the best effect on melasma. In the short term, oTA's curative effect is better than iTA's, and its onset time is faster than tTA, iTA, and MNsTA. In the long run, the curative effect of TA alone is independent of the administration mode.

## Limitations

The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> tranexamic acid is a new and promising drug for the treatment of melasma

## Onset Time of Statistically Significant ΔMASI Compared to Placebo

| Measure | Week of Onset |
| --- | --- |
| Oral TA | 4 |
| Topical TA | 8 |
| Intradermal TA | 8 |
| Microneedling TA | 8 |

*This chart illustrates the earliest week at which each tranexamic acid administration method showed a statistically significant difference in ΔMASI compared to placebo.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum | Moderate evidence | [Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/195.md) |

## Reference

1. **Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a network meta-analysis**
   J Cosmet Dermatol 2023 · [PMID 38059683](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38059683/) · [DOI 10.1111/jocd.16104](https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16104)

   > tranexamic acid is a new and promising drug for the treatment of melasma

## Structured data

```json
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html","name":"Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a…","description":"Oral tranexamic acid combined with routine topical agents is the most effective treatment for melasma, with oral TA alone showing faster short-term…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d38059683.html#study","name":"Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a network meta-analysis","headline":"Comparative efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for melasma by different administration methods: a…","datePublished":"2023","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Cosmet Dermatol"},"identifier":"PMID:38059683","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38059683/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.16104","abstract":"Oral tranexamic acid combined with routine topical agents is the most effective treatment for melasma, with oral TA alone showing faster short-term effects."}]}
```

## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Topical Tranexamic Acid Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/195.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: inhibits plasmin, reduces melanin](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s195.md)
- [Effectiveness of laser and topical tranexamic acid combination therapy in melasma: a…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d37326860.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).