Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40165336›Full record

ArticleBMC pharmacology & toxicology2025

Melasma secondary to drugs: a real-world pharmacovigilance study of the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS).

Yaxin Qu, Shuxin Wang, Hanzhang Xie, Xiao Meng, Bingnan Cui, Zhanshuo Xiao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pharmacology & toxicology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yaxin Qu *Department of Dermatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
Shuxin Wang *Department of Dermatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
Hanzhang Xie *Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China.
Xiao MengDepartment of Dermatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China.
Bingnan CuiDepartment of Dermatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China. cbn1998@163.com.
Zhanshuo XiaoDepartment of Dermatology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 5, Beixiange, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100053, China. tcmxzs1992@163.com.

Funding

Escort Project of Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medicine Science-Backbone Talent Cultivation Project GAMHH9324021High Level Chinese Medical Hospital Promotion Project HLCMHPP2023027Scientic Research Foundation for New recruits, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences ZZ16-XRZ-045
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMelasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder that causes significant distress to patients. In the real world, it is closely associated with various medications, making the timely identification and discontinuation of causative drugs an important aspect of clinical management. This study investigates the relationship between melasma and drug exposure based on data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

methodsThis study includes reports from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2024, focusing on cases related to melasma. We employed four statistical methods to analyze the association between suspected drugs and adverse events related to melasma.

resultsWithin a specific timeframe, we extracted a total of 408 adverse reaction reports related to melasma. The result shows that a higher number of cases in female patients compared to male patients. The United States had the highest number of reported cases. We identified 22 drugs that were notably associated with melasma. Among these, the contraceptive "Ethinylestradiol and norethindrone" demonstrated the strongest signal of association.

conclusionsMelasma is associated with exposure to various medications, with a notable proportion of cases coincided with contraceptive use. The mechanisms involved include hormonal disturbances and oxidative stress.

Indexed as

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting SystemsDrug-Related Side Effects and Adverse ReactionsMelanosisPharmacovigilanceAdolescentAdultAgedChildDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedUnited StatesUnited States Food and Drug AdministrationYoung AdultAdverse eventEthinylestradiol and norethindroneFAERSMelasmaPharmacovigilance study

Identifiers

PMID40165336
PMCPMC11956175

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.