New combo treatment for melasma shows promise in early trial
NCT ID NCT07448415
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether taking tranexamic acid pills along with a microneedling procedure that delivers glutathione into the skin works better for melasma than either treatment alone. Forty-two women with facial melasma will be split into groups to compare the approaches. The main goal is to see how much the dark patches improve over three months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- tranexamic acid (oral) and glutathione (topical)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a more effective combination treatment for melasma, a common skin condition causing dark patches.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 42 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and side effects like bleeding or skin irritation are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2/3
Runs two stages together: whether the treatment works, then large-scale confirmation.
- Participants
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About 42 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Feb 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * • female patients * 18/50 years old * facial melasma Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy * lactation. * History of any bleeding, * clotting disorder * using anticoagulants * Chronic systemic diseases * patients with history of atypical parkinsonism * use of neuroleptics, * history of a seizure * drug addiction * Patients with signs of facial inflammation or infection. * Patients on oral contraceptive pills * patients with hormonal replacement therapy * patients on isotretinoin at the time of the study or during the past 6 months.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a simple pill make melasma creams work better?
- Can a two-acid cream fade stubborn melasma?
- Can sunscreen do more than protect? study tests if it fades dark spots
- New cream trio aims to outshine standard melasma treatment
- Can sound waves clear up skin? new trial tests ultrasound for pigment and rosacea