Antiandrogens For Treating Acne

One primary cause of acne development are the hormones called Androgens. These hormones stimulate the sebaceous glands thus resulting in the production of excessive sebum which eventually leads to the formation of acne. To be able to effectively treat acne, it would help if the influence of androgens would be reduced. Hence, antiandrogens could be of great help to this acne-fighting process. Antiandrogens are drugs which help block the effect of androgens on sebaceous glands.

If you’re body is producing too much androgen and you have some irregularities in your endocrine system, it would be advisable to have antiandrogen treatment. The common types of antiandrogen drugs which are in popular use these days are Topical Inocoterone acetate, Spironolactone, Cyproterone Acetate, Flutamide, and Finasteride.  

The Topical Inocoterone Acetate is a non-steroidal antiadrogen which is said to produce a small but significant reduction of inflamed acne. However, the number of comedonal acne lesions and the sebum secretion rate will not be reduced with this antiandrogen drug.

The Spironolactone is a synthetic steroid which blocks the androgen receptor and inhibits the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase in the skin. About 30% - 50% of the sebum secretion will be decreased using this drug, following the recommended dose of 50-100mg daily. Those women with inflammatory acne lesions are advisable to take only a dose of 25mg. Taking this drug, however, might yield some side effects such as inducement of high potassium level, breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, testicular atrophy, and erectile dysfunction. It is also important to note that pregnancy must be avoided if you’re undergoing a spironolactone treatment.

The Cyproterone acetate is a synthetic steroidal antiadrogen which functions by inhibiting ovulation and blocking the androgen receptors on cells in sebaceous gland if used topically. It can function both as contraceptive and as anti-acne treatment. At least 75%-90% of women having acne problems would experienced relief and positive changes when they take a recommended 2mg to 100mg of Cyproterone acetate per day. However, you must carefully monitor your liver if there’s any malfunction since one side effect of this drug is liver toxicity especially if you’re taking high doses.

The oldest antiandrogen with potent non-ssteroidal action is the Flutamide. It has the adverse side effect so it would be best if you will closely monitor any abnormality in your liver since it can actually cause hepatitis. Flutamide could also cause birth defect among children who were conceived by women taking this drug during pregnancy.

Finasteride, on the other hand, is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor which leads to reduction in androgens in skin. This is the only antiandrogen drug that men can use.

Men who are experiencing acne problems are not advisable to take antiandrogen drugs orally except for Finasteride since it could cause reversal of secondary male sex characteristics, reduced activity of the male organs, and decrease in their sexual desires and libido.

المصدر : عرب مكس