A large 12-month extension study of an 8-week trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of triple combination (TC) cream in melasma patients previously treated with TC cream or one of its dyads

J Drugs Dermatol. 2005 Sep-Oct;4(5):592-7.

Abstract

This was a 12-month extension of a randomized, investigator-blinded, multicenter, 8-week trial with triple combination (TC) cream in facial melasma. A total of 585 patients were enrolled in the study and 569 patients received study medication. Three hundred eighty-nine patients completed 6 months of treatment and 327 patients completed 12 months of treatment. TC cream demonstrated a favorable safety profile: only 14 patients (2.5%) discontinued the study due to treatment-related adverse events (AEs). The 2 cases of skin atrophy were mild and did not lead to withdrawal. From the 23 cases of mild telangiectasia, only 2 resulted in discontinuation. All others were transient. Results confirmed those of a previous smaller study, with both physicians and patients reporting clinically significant improvements in melasma. By month 12, 80% of patients had lesions completely cleared or nearly cleared. Once daily application of TC cream applied intermittently over a long period is a safe, tolerable, and effective treatment for moderate to severe melasma of the face.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adult
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Dermatologic Agents / adverse effects
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Fluocinolone Acetonide / administration & dosage
  • Fluocinolone Acetonide / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydroquinones / administration & dosage
  • Hydroquinones / adverse effects
  • Hydroquinones / therapeutic use
  • Keratolytic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Keratolytic Agents / adverse effects
  • Keratolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Melanosis / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Tretinoin / administration & dosage
  • Tretinoin / adverse effects
  • Tretinoin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Hydroquinones
  • Keratolytic Agents
  • Fluocinolone Acetonide
  • Tretinoin
  • hydroquinone