Evaluation of spironolactone treatment in acne vulgaris in females

ABSTRACT

Acne vulgaris is very common multifactorial disorder involving the pilosebaceous follicles occurring mainly in pubertal and postpubertal period until now it represents a clinical problem in its treatment inspite of recent and different modalities of therapy. Twenty females with acne vulgaris were treated with 100 mg spironolactone per day. Estimation of total serum testosterone [t[and sex hormone binding globulin [SHBG]was done by radioimmunoassay before and after 3 months of spironolactone. Ovarian ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries in 50%of cases 14 patients [70%] showed mild to marked response while 6 patients only showed no response to spironolactone treatment. After spironolactone therapy it was observed that mean serum T level of 14 patients significantly decreased while SHBG and free testosterone index were insignificantly changed after treatment it is concluded that this form of therapy for acne vulgaris, up to the dose used is safe, reliable, and accepted by the patient