Abstract | BACKGROUND: Recent controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of various hormonal preparations, including oral contraceptives, in treatment of acne. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this article is to evaluate the best current evidence on the efficacy of hormonal treatment of acne. METHODS: English-language controlled clinical trials of systemic hormonal treatment of acne were sought by search of references of general dermatology texts, reviews on acne, drug product monographs, and computer-assisted search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and COCHRANE databases between 1970 and 2003 using the key words hormonal, oral contraceptive, acne, spironolactone, cyproterone, flutamide, and therapy. For each agent, studies fulfilling the highest level of evidence were selected for further evaluation. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of Tri-Cyclen and Alesse in acne is supported by high-quality RCTs (level A evidence). Evidence for the efficacy of Diane-35, spironolactone, and flutamide is derived from lower-quality RCTs (level B evidence). Results from a population-based epidemiological study suggests that Diane-35 is the most effective of these oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne (level B evidence; epidemiological study).
|
Authors | Jerry Tan |
Journal | Journal of cutaneous medicine and surgery
(J Cutan Med Surg)
Vol. 8 Suppl 4
Pg. 11-5
( 2004)
ISSN: 1203-4754 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15778821
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
|
Chemical References |
- Androgen Antagonists
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
- Spironolactone
- Flutamide
|
Topics |
- Acne Vulgaris
(drug therapy)
- Androgen Antagonists
(therapeutic use)
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Flutamide
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Male
- Spironolactone
(therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
|