Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Dec 1;50(12S):S219-S224.
doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004400. Epub 2024 Sep 30.

Oral Tranexamic Acid for Prevention and Treatment of Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Marine Minasyan  1 , Sara Hogan  2 , Karan Lal  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Oral Tranexamic Acid for Prevention and Treatment of Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Marine Minasyan et al. Dermatol Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a skin disorder characterized by hyperpigmentation resulting from heightened inflammation and/or damage to the basement membrane, melanocytes, and keratinocytes, leading to abnormal and excessive pigment deposition. Oral tranexamic acid (TXA), originally used as an antifibrinolytic for managing excessive bleeding, has garnered attention for its demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating melasma. There is a growing body of evidence regarding the use of TXA in the treatment of PIH.

Objective: To review the mechanism of action of oral TXA in treating PIH and examine the use of oral TXA in preventing and/or treating PIH associated with laser-based and light-based treatments in individuals with skin color.

Methods: Review of relevant articles from 2000 to present found in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar, regarding the use of oral TXA in the treatment of PIH.

Results: Studies reviewed investigated the efficacy of oral tranexamic acid (TXA) in treating postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and use in preventing PIH when used in conjunction with other treatments. All studies demonstrated significant improvement in PIH without significant adverse effects and side effects.

Conclusion: Oral tranexamic acid is emerging as a safe and effective treatment in the prevention and treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Rodrigues M. ACD A-Z of skin - post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation; 2019. Available from: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/post-inflammatory-hyperpigmentation/ . Accessed April 17, 2024.
    1. Nordlund JJA-M, Abdel-Malek ZA. Mechanisms for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. In: Bagnara JT, editor. Thirteenth international pigment. Tucson: Liss; 1986; pp. 219–39.
    1. Silpa-Archa N, Kohli I, Chaowattanapanit S, Lim HW, et al. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a compre- hensive overview: epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical pre-sensation, and noninvasive assessment technique. J Am Acad Dermatol 2017;77:591–605.
    1. Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2010;3:20–31.
    1. Del Bino S, Sok J, Bessac E, Bernerd F. Relationship between skin response to ultraviolet exposure and skin color type. Pigment Cell Res 2006;19:606–14.

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources