FASCE: Benefit of Spironolactone for Treating Acne in Adult Females - Study Protocol for a Randomized Double-Blind Trial

April 2020

Alexandra Poinas, Marie Lemoigne, S. Le Naour, Jean‐Michel Nguyen, Solène Schirr-Bonnans, Valéry-Pierre Riche, Florence Vrignaud, L. Machet, Jean-Paul Claudel, M.‐T. Leccia, E. Hainaut, N. Bénéton, Cécile Dert, Aurélie Boisrobert, Laurent Flet, Anne Chiffoleau, Stéphane Corvec, Amir Khammari, Brigitte Dréno

spironolactone acne 5-alpha-reductase LH isotretinoin antibiotic resistance cyclines Aldactone Accutane

TLDR Spironolactone may be a better acne treatment for adult women than antibiotics.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of spironolactone as an alternative treatment for acne in adult women, compared to cyclines, which were the standard treatment despite concerns about antibiotic resistance. Spironolactone was considered promising due to its ability to block 5-alpha-reductase receptors and inhibit LH production without the risks associated with isotretinoin or contributing to bacterial resistance. Previous studies with small sample sizes suggested that low doses of spironolactone (less than 200 mg/day) could be effective. The trial was designed as a double-blind randomized study to establish spironolactone's superiority over cyclines, offering a potential new treatment option for adult female acne. Recruitment for the study was ongoing at the time of registration.

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Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Oral Spironolactone for Acne Vulgaris in Adult Females: A Hybrid Systematic Review

117 citations , February 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

research Update and Future of Hormonal Therapy in Acne

78 citations , January 2003 in “Dermatology”

Hormonal therapy is becoming a promising treatment for acne.

research Oral Spironolactone Therapy for Female Patients with Acne, Hirsutism, or Androgenic Alopecia

101 citations , January 1985 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Spironolactone is effective for treating acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia in women with few side effects.

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research Spironolactone for the Treatment of Acne: A 4-Year Retrospective Study

22 citations , January 2017 in “Dermatology”

Spironolactone is effective and safe for treating acne with minimal side effects.

research Lack of Effect of Spironolactone on Hair Shaft Diameter in Hirsute Females

23 citations , July 1989 in “Postgraduate medical journal”

Spironolactone did not make hair thinner in women with excess hair growth.