Tranexamic Acid

Tranexamic acid is an oral medication used to treat melasma. A medication originally used to treat bleeding disorders, it was found to improve the appearance of melasma. It should always be used with sun protection measures, like daily sunscreen use and wide-brimmed hats.

Topical treatments are an important part of treatment. Combination with topical medications will yield more long-lasting results!

This medication is not intended for long-term use. Once you have completed your tranexamic acid treatment, sun protection and topical treatments are very important to keep your melasma under control.

Directions:

Take with water as instructed. Be consistent for best results and to minimize side effects.

May take with food. There are no food interactions to worry about.

Always wear sunscreen. ☀️ Even minimal sunlight promotes skin darkening.

Don’t forget your hat. 👒 And for those in the back, the sun makes melasma worse.

Do NOT take this medication if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have a history of blood clots, known clotting disorder, or medical condition that predisposes you to blood clots.
• You are taking hormonal medications (excluding hormonal IUDs) or medications known to increase blood clots.
• You have cancer.
• You smoke or use cannabis.
• You have kidney, lung or heart disease.
• You have had a subarachnoid hemorrhage or acquired disturbance in color vision.

Caution:

The most common side effects include headaches, changes in menstrual periods (lighter or absent periods), nausea, back pain, stomach upset, muscle aches, joint pain, muscle cramps, migraine, and fatigue.

This medication may cause blood clots. In the absence of predisposing risk factors, there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk of blood clots at doses used to treat melasma. Stop this medication and seek immediate medical attention if you notice swelling in one or both legs or difficulty breathing. If you develop eye symptoms or changes in vision, stop this medication immediately and see an ophthalmologist for evaluation, including a dilated retinal examination.

Stop this medication and seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (e.g., shortness of breath or throat tightening).

COVID-19: If you develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (such as fevers, cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea), STOP tranexamic acid immediately and seek medical attention.