Efficacy and tolerance of acne treatment using both spironolactone and a combined contraceptive containing drospirenone.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The use of either oral contraceptives or antiandrogens has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of women with acne.

OBJECTIVES:

We investigated the safety and efficacy of acne treatment using both spironolactone and a combined contraceptive containing drospirenone.

METHODS:

Twenty-seven women with either severe papular or nodulocystic facial acne were treated with a combined oral contraceptive containing 30 mug ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg drospirenone (EE/DRSP; Yasmin) and spironolactone (SL) 100 mg taken daily. A serum potassium level was obtained before initiation of therapy. Between 4 and 6 weeks after the start of both medications, a second serum potassium level was obtained. Side effects were recorded.

RESULTS:

No significant elevation of serum potassium was found in any of the subjects nor were there any reported additional side effects significant enough to discontinue treatment. At follow up, 85% of subjects were entirely clear of acne lesions or had excellent improvement, 7.4% were mildly improved, and 7.4% were not improved.

LIMITATIONS:

This was a small prospective study.

CONCLUSION:

The combination of EE/DRSP and SL 100 mg daily appears to have efficacy and is well tolerated in the treatment of severe papular and nodulocystic acne in women.

• Authors: Aleksandar Krunic, Ana Ciurea, Andrew Scheman
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (J Am Acad Dermatol) Vol. 58 Issue 1 Pg. 60-2 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 1097-6787 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17964689 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Androgen Receptor Antagonists
• Androstenes
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined
• Spironolactone
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• drospirenone

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Androgen Receptor Antagonists
• Androstenes (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Contraceptives, Oral, Combined (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Ethinyl Estradiol (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Prospective Studies
• Spironolactone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome