Comparison of Efficacy of Metformin Gel 30% vs Triple Combination Cream (Hydroquinone 4%, Flucinolone Acetonide 0.01%, Tretinoin 0.025%) in Treatment of Melasma in Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi

Summary

This study will compare two topical treatments for melasma. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either triple combination cream (hydroquinone 2% + tretinoin 0.025% + fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%) or 30% metformin gel, applied once nightly for 12 weeks. All participants will use broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF ≥30) during the daytime throughout the treatment period. Melasma severity will be assessed using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), and the study will determine which treatment is more effective and better tolerated at the end of 12 weeks.

Timeline

Start

2025-02-01

Primary completion

2025-08-30

Completion

2025-08-30

Publications

• Results Grimes PE, Pandya AG, Taylor SC, Rendon MI. Challenges in melasma treatment: need for standardization and multicenter RCTs. Dermatol Ther. 2022;35(1):e15234. doi:10.1111/dth.15234
• Results Steiner D, Pandya AG. Melasma and hormonal imbalance: an evidence-based review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2021;35(8):1630-40. doi:10.1111/jdv.17123
• Results Del Rosario E, Florell SR, Zone JJ. Gender and hormonal differences in melasma pathogenesis. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2023;9(2):95-103. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2023.02.004
• Results Coondoo A, Phiske M, Verma S, Lahiri K. Side-effects of topical steroids: A long overdue revisit. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014 Oct;5(4):416-25. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.142483.
• Results Misitzis D, Georgala S, Katoulis AC. Comparison of the effectiveness and safety of triple combination cream vs hydroquinone monotherapy in melasma. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022;21(9):3882-7. doi:10.1111/jocd.14278
• Results Frances L, Cuesta L, Leiva-Salinas M, Banuls J. Secondary mucinous carcinoma of the skin. Dermatol Online J. 2014 Apr 16;20(4):22361.
• Results Lima EVA, Lima MA, Paixão MP, Miot HA. Assessment of the efficacy of a triple combination cream for melasma in different populations: a literature review. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2020;13:505-10. doi:10.2147/CCID.S238536
• Results Pomeranz MK, Belsito DV. Mechanisms of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and therapeutic strategies. Clin Dermatol. 2020;38(1):64-72. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.06.009
• Results Lee AY. Anti-melanogenic effects of metformin: beyond diabetes. J Dermatol Sci. 2021;104(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.06.002
• Results González-Pedraza A, Salazar-Aranda R, Pérez-Herrera P, Torres-Torres Y. Metformin as an adjuvant in dermatology: molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Int J Dermatol. 2023;62(2):132-40. doi:10.1111/ijd.16391
• Results Mahmoud MMY, Kamel AM, Galal SA. Evaluation the efficacy of microneedling with topical metformin solution compared with microneedling with topical vitamin C solution in treatment of melasma. Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Oct 5;316(9):662. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03355-9.
• Results Ali Mapar M, Namdari G. Efficacy of topical metformin 15% vs placebo in melasma: RCT over 12 weeks. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(5):1357-63. doi:10.1111/jocd.12904
• Results Gan C, Rodrigues M. An Update on New and Existing Treatments for the Management of Melasma. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2024 Sep;25(5):717-733. doi: 10.1007/s40257-024-00863-2. Epub 2024 Jun 19.
• Results AboAlsoud ES, Eldahshan RM, AbouKhodair Mohammed H, Elsaie ML. Safety and efficacy of topical metformin 30% cream versus triple combination cream (Kligman's formula) in treating melasma: A randomized controlled study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2022 Jun;21(6):2508-2515. doi: 10.1111/jocd.14953. Epub 2022 Apr 9.
• Results Mapar MA, Hemmati AA, Namdari G. Comparing the efficacy of topical metformin and placebo in the treatment of melasma: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. J Pharm Res Int. 2019;30(4):1-8. doi:10.9734/JPRI/2019/v30i430276
• Results Banavase Channakeshavaiah R, Andanooru Chandrappa NK. Topical metformin in the treatment of melasma: A preliminary clinical trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 May;19(5):1161-1164. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13145. Epub 2019 Sep 10.
• Results Mongkhon P, Ruengorn C, Awiphan R, Phosuya C, Ruanta Y, Thavorn K, Jamjanya S, Chuamanochan M, Nochaiwong S. Efficacy and safety of metformin for melasma treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Dec 13;14:1281050. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1281050. eCollection 2023.
• Results Ahmad Nasrollahi S, Sabet Nematzadeh M, Samadi A, Ayatollahi A, Yadangi S, Abels C, Firooz A. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a triple combination cream (hydroquinone, tretinoin, and fluocinolone) for treatment of melasma in Middle Eastern skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019 Jun 10;12:437-444. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S202285. eCollection 2019.
• Results Atwa MA, Ahmed AH, Nada HA, Refaey SM, Jafferany M, Elsaie ML. Combined chemical peels versus trichloroacetic acid (TCA) for treating melasma: a split face study. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Mar;33(2):959-964. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1793888.
• Results Passeron T. Melasma pathogenesis and updated treatment options. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36(6):859-68. doi:10.1111/jdv.18101
• Results Neagu N, Conforti C, Agozzino M, Marangi GF, Morariu SH, Pellacani G, Persichetti P, Piccolo D, Segreto F, Zalaudek I, Dianzani C. Melasma treatment: a systematic review. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022 Jun;33(4):1816-1837. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2021.1914313. Epub 2022 Mar 23.
• Results Rahman A, Basit A, Mohsin S, Ahmed N, Tahir M, Ishfaq A. Quality of life of melasma patients in Pakistan. Pak Armed Forces Med J. 2022;72(1):307-10.
• Results Handel AC, Miot LD, Miot HA. Melasma: a clinical and epidemiological review. An Bras Dermatol. 2014 Sep-Oct;89(5):771-82. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20143063.
• Results Kang HY, Ortonne JP. Melasma update. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2009;18(2):137-42

Drugs

Indications