Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Volumn 2012, Issue 7, 2012, Pages

  Arowojolu, Ayodele O ^a   Gallo, Maria F ^b   Lopez, Laureen M ^c   Grimes, David A ^d  

^a UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN   (Nigeria)

^b NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION   (United States)

^c FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL   (United States)

^d UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE AGENT;

ACNE VULGARIS; FEMALE; HUMAN; META ANALYSIS; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL (TOPIC); REVIEW;

ACNE VULGARIS; CONTRACEPTIVES, ORAL, COMBINED; FEMALE; HUMANS; RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS AS TOPIC;

EID: 84866456640     PISSN: 14651858     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004425.pub6     Document Type: Review

References (89)

1. Aydinlik S, Lachnit-Fixson U, Lehnert J. Reduced estrogen ovulation inhibitor in acne therapy. Double-blind study comparing Diane-35 to Diane [Ostrogenreduzierter ovulationshemmer zur aknetherapie.]. Fortschritte der Medizin 1986;104:547-50.
2. Bayer Schering Pharma AG. GA YAZ ACNE in China Phase III. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00818519 (accessed 25 Aug 2011).
3. Carlborg L. Cyproterone acetate versus levonorgestrel combined with ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne. Results of a multicenter study. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1986;134:29-32.
4. Charoenvisal C, Thaipisuttikul Y, Pinjaroen S, Krisanapan O, Benjawang W, Koster A, et al. Effects on acne of two oral contraceptives containing desogestrel and cyproterone acetate. International Journal of Fertility and Menopausal Studies 1996;41:423-9.
5. Dieben TO, Vromans L, Theeuwes A, Bennink HJ. The effects of CTR-24, a biphasic oral contraceptive combination, compared to Diane-35 in women with acne. Contraception 1994;50:373-82.
6. Fugere P, Percival-Smith R, Lussier-Cacan S, Tetrault C, Farquhar DJ. The comparative efficacy and safety of Diane-35 versus Diane-50 in the treatment of moderate to severe acne and seborrhea: 12-month results. Recent Research on Gynecological Endocrinology 1988;1:590-608.
7. Fugere P, Percival-Smith RK, Lussier-Cacan S, Davignon J, Farquhar D. Cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne. A comparative dose-response study of the estrogen component. Contraception 1990;42:225-34.
8. Halbe HW, de Melo NR, Bahamondes L, Petracco A, Lemgruber M, de Andrade RP, et al. Efficacy and acceptability of two monophasic oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and either desogestrel or gestodene. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 1998;3:113-20.
9. Johnson, Johnson Taiwan Ltd. Comparison of efficacy and safety of norgestimate-ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate-ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne vulgaris. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00752635 (accessed 25 Aug 2011).
10. Kelly S, Davies E, Fearns S, McKinnon C, Carter R, Gerlinger C, et al. Effects of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol with either drospirenone or levonorgestrel on various parameters associated with well-being in healthy women: a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study. Clinical Drug Investigation 2010; Vol. 30, issue 5:325-36.
11. Koetsawang S, Charoenvisal C, Banharnsupawat L, Singhakovin S, Kaewsuk O, Punnahitanont S. Multicenter trial of two monophasic oral contraceptives containing 30 mcg ethinylestradiol and either desogestrel or gestodene in Thai women. Contraception 1995;51:225-9.
12. Koltun W, Lucky AW, Thiboutot D, Niknian M, Sampson-Landers C, Korner P, et al. Efficacy and safety of 3 mg drospirenone/ 20 mcg ethinylestradiol oral contraceptive administered in 24/4 regimen in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Contraception 2008;77:249-56.
13. Lucky AW, Koltun W, Thiboutot D, Niknian M, Sampson-Landers C, Korner P, et al. A combined oral contraceptive containing 3-mg drospirenone/ 20-µg ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating lesion counts and participant self-assessment. Cutis 2008;82:143-50.
14. Lachnit-Fixson U, Kaufmann J. [Therapy of androgenization symptoms: double blind study of an antiandrogen preparation (SH B 209 AB) against neogynon]. Medizinische Klinik 1977;72:1922-6.
15. Leyden J, Shalita A, Hordinsky M, Swinyer L, Stanczyk FZ, Weber ME. Efficacy of a low-dose oral contraceptive containing 20 ug of ethinyl estradiol and 100 ug of levonorgestrel for the treatment of moderate acne: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2002;47:399-409.
16. Lucky AW, Henderson TA, Olson WH, Robisch DM, Lebwohl M, Swinyer LJ. Effectiveness of norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol in treating moderate acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1997;37:746-54.
17. Maloney JM, Arbit DI, Flack M, McLaughlin-Miley C, Sevilla C, Derman R. Use of low-dose oral contraceptive containing norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris. Clinical Journal of Women's Health 2001;1:123-31.
18. Maloney JM, Dietze P, Watson D, Niknian M, Lee-Rugh S, Sampson-Landers C, et al. A randomized controlled trial of a low-dose combined oral contraceptive containing 3 mg drospirenone plus 20 microg ethinylestradiol in the treatment of acne vulgaris: lesion counts, investigator ratings and subject self-assessment. Journal of drugs in dermatology 2009, issue 9:837-44.
19. Maloney JM, Dietze P, Watson D, Niknian M, Lee-Rugh S, Sampson-Landers C, et al. Treatment of acne using a 3-milligram drospirenone/ 20-microgram ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptive administered in a 24/4 regimen. Obstetrics and Gynecology 2008;112:773-81.
20. Mango D, Ricci S, Manna P, Miggiano GA, Serra GB. Clinical and hormonal effects of ethinylestradiol combined with gestodene and desogestrel in young women with acne vulgaris. Contraception 1996;53:163-70.
21. Mansour D, Verhoeven C, Sommer W, Weisberg E, Taneepanichskul S, Melis GB, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a monophasic combined oral contraceptive containing nomegestrol acetate and 17β-oestradiol in a 24/4 regimen, in comparison to an oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone in a 21/7 regimen. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care. 2011/10/15 2011; Vol. 16, issue 6:430-43.
22. Monk BE, Almeyda JA, Caldwell IW, Green B, Pelta D, Leonard J, et al. Efficacy of low-dose cyproterone acetate compared with minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 1987;12:319-22.
23. Palatsi R, Hirvensalo E, Liukko P, Malmiharju T, Mattila L, Riihiluoma P, et al. Serum total and unbound testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in female acne patients treated with two different oral contraceptives. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1984;64:517-23.
24. Palatsi R, Reinila M, Kivinen S. Pituitary function and DHEA-S in male acne and DHEA-S, prolactin and cortisol before and after oral contraceptive treatment in female acne. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 1986;66:225-30.
25. Palombo-Kinne E, Schellschmidt I, Schumacher U, Gräser T. Efficacy of a combined oral contraceptive containing 0.030 mg ethinylestradiol/2 mg dienogest for the treatment of papulopustular acne in comparison with placebo and 0.035 mg ethinylestradiol/2 mg cyproterone acetate. Contraception 2009; Vol. 79, issue 4:282-9.
26. Plewig G, Cunliffe WJ, Binder N, Höschen K. Efficacy of an oral contraceptive containing EE 0.03 mg and CMA 2 mg (Belara) in moderate acne resolution: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial. Contraception 2009; Vol. 80, issue 1:25-33.
27. Olson WH, Lippman JS, Robisch DM. The duration of response to norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne vulgaris. International Journal of Fertility and Women's Medicine 1998;43:286-90.
28. Redmond GP, Olson WH, Lippman JS, Kafrissen ME, Jones TM, Jorizzo JL. Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1997;89:615-22.
29. Rosen MP, Breitkopf DM, Nagamani M. A randomized controlled trial of second- versus third-generation oral contraceptives in the treatment of acne vulgaris. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 2003;188:1158-60.
30. Thiboutot D, Archer DF, Lemay A, Washenik K, Roberts J, Harrison DD. A randomized, controlled trial of a low-dose contraceptive containing 20 µg of ethinyl estradiol and 100 µg of levonorgestrel for acne treatment. Fertility and Sterility 2001;76:461-8.
31. Thorneycroft IH, Stanczyk FZ, Bradshaw KD, Ballagh SA, Nichols M, Weber ME. Effect of low-dose oral contraceptives on androgenic markers and acne. Contraception 1999;60:255-62.
32. Thorneycroft H, Gollnick H, Schellschmidt I. Superiority of a combined contraceptive containing drospirenone to a triphasic preparation containing norgestimate in acne treatment. Cutis 2004;74:123-30.
33. van Vloten WA, van Haselen CW, van Zuuren EJ, Gerlinger C, Heithecker R. The effect of 2 combined oral contraceptives containing either drospirenone or cyproterone acetate on acne and seborrhea. Cutis 2002;69 Suppl (4):2-15.
34. Vartiainen M, de Gezelle H, Broekmeulen CJ. Comparison of the effect on acne with a combiphasic desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive and a preparation containing cyproterone acetate. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 2001;6:46-53.
35. Winkler UH, Ferguson H, Mulders JAPA. Cycle control, quality of life and acne with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 20 µg ethinylestradiol. Contraception 2004;69:469-76.
36. Worret I, Arp W, Zahradnik HP, Andreas JO, Binder N. Acne resolution rates: results of a single-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel phase III trial with EE/CMA (Belara) and EE/LNG (Microgynon). Dermatology 2001;203:38-44.
37. Barranco VP. Effect of androgen-dominant and estrogen-dominant oral contraceptives on acne. Cutis 1974;4:384-6.
38. Carmina E, Godwin AJ, Stanczyk FZ, Lippman JS, Lobo RA. The association of serum androsterone glucuronide with inflammatory lesions in women with adult acne. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation 2002;25:765-8.
39. Chapdelaine A, Desmarais JL, Derman RJ. Clinical evidence of minimal androgenic activity of norgestimate. International Journal of Fertility 1989;34:347-52.
40. Coney P, Washenik K, Langley RGB, DiGiovanna JJ, Harrison DD. Weight change and adverse event incidence with a low dose contraceptive: two randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Contraception 2001;63:297-302.
41. Cremoncini C, Vignati E, Libroia A. Treatment of hirsutism and acne in women with two combinations of cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol [Trattamento dell'irsutismo e dell'acne nella donna con due associazioni di ciproterone acetato ed etinil-estradiolo]. Acta Europaea Fertilitatis 1976;7:299-314.
42. Erdmann D, Schindler EM, Schindler AE. Ovarian suppression with Diane 35/50 [Die ovarielle Suppression unter Diane 35/50]. Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 1994;54:627-33.
43. Erkkola R, Hirvonen E, Luikku J, Lumme R, Mannikko H, Aydinlik S. Ovulation inhibitors containing cyproterone acetate or desogestrel in the treatment of hyperandrogenic symptoms. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1990;69:61-5.
44. Greenwood R, Brummitt L, Burke B, Cunliffe WJ. Acne: double blind clinical and laboratory trial of tetracycline, oestrogen-cyproterone acetate, and combined treatment. British Medical Journal 1985;291:1231-5.
45. Gruber DM, Sator MO, Joura EA, Kokoschka EM, Heinze G, Huber JC. Topical cyproterone acetate treatment in women with acne: a placebo-controlled trial. Archives of Dermatology 1998;134:459-63.
46. Grund E, Schmidt-Elmendorff H. The treatment of virilizing syndromes. Comparative clinical studies of 2 antiandrogen-active gestagens (cyproterone acetate, megestrol acetate) [Behandlung von Virilisierungs-erscheinungen. Vergleichende klinische Untersuchung zweier antiandrogenwirksamer Gestagene (Cyproteronazetat, Megestrolazetat)]. Die Medizinische Welt 1975;26:2180-7.
47. Huber J, Foidart JM, Wuttke W, Merki-Feld GS, The HS, Gerlinger C, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a monophasic oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 2000;5:25-34.
48. Katz HI, Kempers S, Akin MD, Dunlap F, Whiting D, Norbart TC. Effect of a desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive on the skin. European Journal of Contraception and Reproductive Health Care 2000;5:248-55.
49. Lachnit-Fixson U. The development and evaluation of an ovulation inhibitor (DIAne) containing an antiandrogen. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. Supplement 1979;88:33-42.
50. Mehrl J. Acne: long-term therapy with side effect. Sebaceous gland activity is androgen dependent--acne therapeutic drug is effective as a contraceptive [Akne: Langzeittherapie mit Nebeneffekt. Talgdrüsenaktivität androgenabhängig - Aknetherapeutikum auch kontrazeptiv wirksam]. Fortschritte der Medizin 1988;106:50-1.
51. Miller JA, Wojnarowska FT, Dowd PM, Ashton RE, O'Brien TJ, Griffiths WA, et al. Anti-androgen treatment in women with acne: a controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology 1986;114:705-16.
52. Nilsson L, Solvell L. Clinical studies on oral contraceptives--a randomized, doubleblind, crossover study of 4 different preparations (Anovlar(R) mite, Lyndiol(R) mite, Ovulen(R), and Volidan). Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 1967;46: Suppl (8):1-31.
53. Perrone G, Calzolari E, Mancone M, Masci A, Steffe M, Tesseri E. Oral contraceptives and their minor side effects: comparison between three low-dose estroprogestinic associations [Contraccettivi orali ed effeti collatereali minori: Confronto fra tre estropogestinici a basso dosaggio]. Patologia e Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologica 1987;15:6-11.
54. Sanam M, Ziba O. Desogestrel+ethinylestradiol versus levonorgestrel+ethinylestradiol. Which one has better affect on acne, hirsutism, and weight change. Saudi Medical Journal. 2011/01/08 2011; Vol. 32, issue 1:23-6.
55. Sanhueza H, Sivin I, Kumar S, Kessler M, Carrasco A, Yee J. A randomized double blind study of two oral contraceptives. Contraception 1979;20:29-48.
56. Spona J, Elstein M, Feichtinger W, Sullivan H, Ludicke F, Muller U, et al. Shorter pill-free interval in combined oral contraceptives decreases follicular development. Contraception 1996;54:71-7.
57. Vegetti W, Testa G, Maggioni P, Motta T, Falsetti L, Crosignani PG. An open randomized comparative study of an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and cyproterone acetate with and without the GnRH analogue goserelin in the long-term treatment of hirsutism. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 1966;41:260-8.
58. Vermeulen A, Rubens R. Effects of cyproterone acetate plus ethinylestradiol low dose on plasma androgens and lipids in mildly hirsute or acneic young women. Contraception 1988;38:419-28.
59. Vexiau P, Chaspoux C, Boubou P, Fiet J, Jouanique C, Hardy N, et al. Effect of minoxidil 2% vs. cyproterone acetate treatment on female androgenetic alopecia: a controlled, 12-month randomized trial. British Journal of Dermatology 2002;146:992-9.
60. Volpe A, Silferi M, Mauri A, Deiana P, Angioni S, Grasso A, et al. Efficacy on hyperandrogenism and safety of a new oral contraceptive biphasic formulation containing desogestrel. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 1994;53:205-9.
61. Weber-Diehl F, Lehnert J, Lachnit U. Comparison of two triphasic oral contraceptives containing either gestodene or norethindrone: a randomized, controlled trial. Contraception 1993;48:291-301.
62. Wendler J, Siegert C, Schelhorn P, Klinger G, Gurr S, Kaufmann J, et al. The influence of Microgynon and Diane-35, two sub-fifty ovulation inhibitors, on voice function in women. Contraception 1995;52:343-8.
63. Wishart JM. An open study of Triphasil and Diane 50 in the treatment of acne. Australasian Journal of Dermatology 1991;32:51-4.
64. Kimball AB, Alora-Palli MB. A study to examine the safety and efficacy of drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol (YAZ) compared with placebo In the treatment of moderate truncal acne vulgaris. http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00722761 (accessed 25 Aug 2011).
65. Baldwin HE. The interaction between acne vulgaris and the psyche. Cutis 2002;70:133-9.
66. Bergfeld WF. The evaluation and management of acne: economic considerations. Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. 1995;32 Suppl (5 Pt 3):52-6.
67. Burkhart CG, Butcher C, Burkhart CN, Lehmann P. Effects of benzoyl peroxide on lipogenesis in sebaceous glands using animal model. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 2000;4:138-41.
68. Cassidenti DL, Paulson RJ, Serafini P, Stanczyk FZ, Lobo RA. Effects of sex steroids on skin 5 alpha-reductase activity in vitro. Obstetrics and Gynecology 1991;78:103-7.
69. CONSORT group. CONSORT: Transparent reporting of trials. http://www.consort-statement.org/ (accessed 15 Jul 2009).
70. Downie MM, Sanders DA, Kealey T. Modelling the remission of individual acne lesion in vitro. British Journal of Dermatology 2002;147:869-78.
71. Eady EA, Farmery MR, Ross JI, Cove JH, Cunliffe WJ. Effects of benzoyl peroxide and erythromycin alone and in combination against antibiotic-sensitive and -resistant skin bacteria from acne patients. British Journal of Dermatology 1994;131:331-6.
72. Fotherby K, Caldwell AD. New progestogens in oral contraception. Contraception 1994;49:1-32.
73. George R, Clarke S, Thiboutot D. Hormonal therapy for acne. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery 2008;27:188-96.
74. Goulden V, Stables GI, Cunliffe WJ. Prevalence of facial acne in adults. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1999;41:577-80.
75. Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1[updated March 2011]. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2011. Available from www.cochrane-handbook.org. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, (accessed 04 Oct 2011).
76. Jemec GB, Linneberg A, Nielsen NH, Frolund L, Madsen F, Jorgensen T. Have oral contraceptives reduced the prevalence of acne? A population-based study of acne vulgaris, tobacco smoking and oral contraceptives. Dermatology 2002;204:179-84.
77. Koltun W, Maloney JM, Marr J, Kunz M. Treatment of moderate acne vulgaris using a combined oral contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol 20 mug plus drospirenone 3mg administered in a 24/4 regimen: a pooled analysis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2011;155(2):171-5.
78. Lexchin J, Bero LA, Djulbegovic B, Clark O. Pharmaceutical industry sponsorship and research outcome and quality: systematic review. British Medical Journal 2003;326:1167-70.
79. Leyden JJ. Therapy for acne vulgaris. New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:1156-62.
80. O'Connell K, Westhoff C. Pharmacology of hormonal contraceptives and acne. Cutis 2008;81(1 Suppl):8-12.
81. Poli F, Dreno B, Verschoore M. An epidemiological study of acne in female adults: results of a survey conducted in France. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 2001;15:541-5.
82. Rabe T, Kowald A, Ortmann J, Rehberger-Schneider S. Inhibition of skin 5 alpha-reductase by oral contraceptive progestins in vitro. Gynecological Endocrinology 2000;14:223-30.
83. Rich p. Hormonal contraceptives for acne management. Cutis 2008;81:13-8.
84. Schulz KF, Grimes DA. Allocation concealment in randomised trials: defending against deciphering. Lancet 2002;359:614-8.
85. Schulz KF, Grimes DA. Blinding in randomised trials: hiding who got what. Lancet 2002;359:696-700.
86. Seaman HE, Vries CS, Farmer RD. Differences in the use of combined contraceptives amongst women with and without acne. Human Reproduction 2003;18:515-21.
87. Thiboutot D. New treatments and therapeutic strategies for acne. Archives of Family Medicine 2000;9:179-87.
88. Toyoda M, Morohashi M. Pathogenesis of acne. Medical Electron Microscopy 2001;34:29-40.
89. Webster GF. Acne vulgaris. British Medical Journal 2002;325:475-9.