Habib ur Rehman¹, Uzma Sarwar¹, Muhammad Mansoor Majeed² and Muhammad Azam Bokhari¹

ABSTRACT

Objective: To assess the synergistic efficacy and side-effects of spironolactone added to 20 mg isotretinoin/day.

Study Design: Observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Dermatology Department, Shalamar Hospital Lahore from March 2015 to December 2017.

Materials and Methods: 96 adult females between the ages of 25 and 45 years (mean age 31.6 years) were selected. All 96 women included in the study had regular menstrual history without any signs or symptoms of hyperandrogenism. They were treated with 50-100 mg spironolactone daily, in addition to 20 mg isotretinoin irrespective of age and weight of the patient for six months. Patients were clinically examined in the beginning, then every month during the treatment and on the follow up visits. Serum testosterone, DHEA-S, Serum Potassium levels were measured in the beginning and at the end of the treatment.

Results: Out of 96 patients 80 completed the study. 75 (93.75%) of patients were declared completely cured in six months. 5(6.25%) patients were not declared cured but showed satisfactory improvement. Recurrence was seen in 16(20%) patients. 17(21.25%) patients showed menstrual cycle irregularities, breast tenderness, cheilitis and xerosis. Potassium levels remained within normal limits. Serum testosterone, DHEA-S levels either decreased or remained at the same level at the end of the treatment.

Conclusion: Spironolactone given with isotretinoin was found to be more effective in adult female patients with acne than either drug alone. The drugs were well tolerated and showed good results with minimum side effects. Key Words: Female adult onset acne, Spironolactone, Isotretinoin

Citation of articles: Rehman H, Sarwar U, Majeed MM, Bokhari  MA. Treatment of Post Adolescent Female Acne with Spironolactone and Low Dose Isotretinoin. Med Forum 2018;29(5):2-6.