Does Systemic Metformin Have a Role in Treating Melasma?

Dermatol Surg. 2024 Apr 1;50(4):366-371. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004092. Epub 2024 Feb 28.

Abstract

Background: Melasma is a common pigmentary condition that affects the patients' quality of life and all the prescribed treatment options till now are not satisfactory, especially in dark-skinned patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic metformin (1,000 mg and 500 mg) combined with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peeling versus TCA alone in the treatment of melasma.

Patients and methods: The study included 60 melasma patients divided into 3 groups: Group A received systemic metformin (1000 mg/d), Group B received systemic metformin (500 mg/d) and Group C received placebo. The 3 treatment groups were treated by TCA 25% over the whole face bimonthly for a total of 6 sessions. Melasma area and severity index (MASI), and Melasma impact Quality of life Scale (MELASQOL) were used to assess the outcome.

Results: There was a statistically significant decrease in the MASI, and the MELASQOL in the 3 studied groups after treatment with significantly better improvement in Group (A) than Group (C) ( p = .045).

Conclusion: Systemic metformin is a safe and promising therapeutic option for treating melasma.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03475524.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Chemexfoliation* / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Melanosis* / therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trichloroacetic Acid

Substances

  • Trichloroacetic Acid

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03475524