Blood pressure drug takes on antibiotics for Women's acne
NCT ID NCT03334682
First seen Sep 14, 2026 · Last updated Sep 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Researchers are testing whether spironolactone, a drug usually used for high blood pressure, can treat moderate acne in adult women as effectively as doxycycline, a common antibiotic. The trial enrolls women with acne who have not recently used certain treatments. Participants receive either spironolactone or doxycycline for several months, and researchers measure changes in acne severity and monitor side effects.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- spironolactone
- What this could lead to
- If spironolactone works, it could offer adult women an acne treatment that avoids antibiotics and their resistance problems.
- What could go wrong
- Spironolactone can cause hormonal side effects and is not safe during pregnancy. The trial may show it is no better than standard antibiotics.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
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158 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jan 2018
- Finished
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Jul 2023
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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20 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient with acne, with at least 10 inflammatory lesions and no more than 3 nodules * Patient who already had one cycline course for her acne treatment with a 3 months\* wash out or who never had any cycline * Patient having signed an informed consent * Absence of use of oral antibiotics and Zinc salts in the last 30 days * Absence of use of systemic isotretinoin and antiandrogens in the last 6 months * Absence of microphysiotherapy in the last 15 da * Women of child-bearing age under contraception since 3 months (oral contraception, implant or IUD). * Patients with social security Exclusion Criteria: * Patient affected by active /progressive diseases, as infections including Hidradenitis suppurativa, cancers, or endocrine syndrome (eg polycystic ovary syndrome), Addison's disease) * Patient affected by Rosacea * Patient with contra-indication to the use of one of the investigational products or auxiliary : * Patient with intolerance or hypersensitivity to cyclin's, spironolactone or to any ingredient present in associated benzoyl peroxide gel * Patient with significant impairment of renal excretory function, acute or chronic renal failure, anuria. * Patient with life-threatening or very severe hepatic impairment.(grade III or IV) * Patient with hyperkalaemia or strongly requiring potassium-sparing diuretics (eg amiloride, canrenoate, eplerenone, triamterene), or treated continuously with Angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonist, NSAIDs, heparin and molecular weight heparin, ciclosporin and tacrolimus. * Patient requiring topical isotretinoin or who stopped this drug since less than 2 weeks * Patient previously treated with spironolactone * Pregnant woman or likely to become pregnant or nursing and refusing to use an effective contraceptive method * Patient participating in another interventional clinical trial * Patient under guardianship or trusteeship
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CH La Rochelle
La Rochelle, France
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CH Le Mans
Le Mans, France
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CHRU Tours
Tours, France
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CHU Caen
Caen, France
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CHU Grenoble
Grenoble, France
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CHU Poitiers
Poitiers, France
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CHU de Nantes - Dermatologie
Nantes, France
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Cabinet du Dr Jean-Paul Claudel
Tours, France
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Chru Brest
Brest, France
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