COMBINED USE OF 20-PERCENT AZELAIC ACID CREAM AND 0.05-PERCENT TRETINOIN CREAM IN THE TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMA

The efficacy of the combination of 20% azelaic acid cream and 0.05% tr etinoin cream in the treatment of melasma was compared with that of 20 % azelaic acid cream alone in an open-label randomized study (n=50). O ver the 6-month treatment period both treatments yielded approximately 73% therapeutically meaningful (rated as 'good' or 'excellent') resul ts. Tretinoin augmented the depigmenting effect of azelaic acid as sho wn by a faster response and a more pronounced improvement with the com bination treatment during the first 3 months, and by a higher rate of excellent results at the end of therapy. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated, and no hypochromia, photosensitivity reactions or exog enous ochronosis were observed.