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Supplement to the March 2008
skin
&
AGING
Articles in this supplement are based
on selected presentations from the
2007 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference®
held October 18–21, 2007 in Las Vegas, NV.
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
FALL CLINICAL
DERMATOLOGY 2007
AN UPDATE ON ADVANCES IN ACNE AND EXCERPTS FROM
WHAT’S NEW IN THE MEDICINE CABINET
BY JAMES Q. DEL ROSSO, D.O., F.A.O.C.D.
DERMATOLOGY RESIDENCY DIRECTOR
VALLEY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER
LAS VEGAS, NV
ACNE UPDATE
BENZOYL PEROXIDE/CLINDAMYCIN +
TOPICAL RETINOID THERAPY
cne vulgaris is one of the
most common diagnoses
encountered in clinical
practice. Most advances relate to
improvements in vehicle technology and new data, especially on
combination therapy.
Clinical studies have evaluated BPO-clindamycin gel (Duac)
used in combination with either tazarotene cream 0.1% (Tazorac),
tretinoin microsphere gel 0.04% or 0.1% (Retin-A Micro), or adapalene gel 0.1% (Differin). The BPO-clindamycin gel and the topical retinoid were applied in the morning and at bedtime, respectively, in all of the studies. The combination topical approach of a
retinoid used along with BPO-clindamycin from the outset of therapy exhibited inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion reduc-
A
James Q. Del Rosso,
D.O., F.A.O.C.D.
COMBINATION TOPICAL
THERAPY
Topical retinoids are a vital component of both initial tre a tment and maintenance therapy for acne vulgaris. They
exhibit the ability to reduce both non-inflammatory lesions
and inflammatory acne lesions. Benzoyl peroxide also
remains a foundation of acne treatment, exhibiting the ability to markedly reduce P ropionibacterium acnes counts
and prevent emergence of P. acnes strains that are less
sensitive to antibiotics, such as erythromycin and tetracycline. Benzoyl peroxide, including formulations that also
contain clindamycin, is well established for reducing inflammatory acne lesions but also for decreasing non-inflammatory lesions by approximately 25% to 30% in clinical trials.
Multiple clinical trials have evaluated tretinoin (Retin-A
M i c ro, Tretin-X, Atralin), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene
(Tazorac), including initial pivotal monotherapy studies and
trials utilizing combination therapy with a benzoyl pero x i d e
(BPO)-containing formulation. The availability of newer vehicles that decrease the potential for and the intensity of initial
skin irritation observed with topical retinoid therapy (“retinoid
dermatitis”), such as tretinoin formulated in the micro s p h e re
gel (Retin-A Micro) and the aqueous-based gel (Atralin), has
allowed for effective combination topical therapy of acne vulgaris from the outset. With these newer vehicles, more
patients are able to tolerate combination topical treatment
with few or no signs of skin irritation.
NEWER VEHICLES THAT DECREASE
THE POTENTIAL FOR AND THE
INTENSITY OF INITIAL SKIN IRRITATION
OBSERVED WITH TOPICAL RETINOID
THERAPY HAVE ALLOWED FOR
EFFECTIVE COMBINATION TOPICAL
THERAPY OF ACNE VULGARIS.
tions after 12 weeks of at least 60% and 55%, respectively, with
all 3 retinoids (Figures 1–4). In one of the trials, the study arm
using both BPO-clindamycin gel (Duac) and tazarotene 0.1%
cream (Tazorac) demonstrated a marked reduction in non-inflammatory lesions at Week 4 (34%) and Week 8 (64%) (Figure 3).
Tolerability results were very favorable in all 3 trials. A case report
series of BPO microsphere cream (NeoBenz Micro) applied once
daily in the morning used in combination with tretinoin microsphere gel 0.04% (Retin-A Micro) once daily at night also proved to
exhibit effective results with no reports of skin irritation.
PROPER SKIN CARE IN ACNE THERAPY
The use of appropriate skin care is vital in the management
of acne vulgaris, allowing for preservation of epidermal barrier
integrity and function. The use of a gentle facial cleanser and
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F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
well-formulated moisturizer both reduces the potential for skin
irritation associated with topical medications and enhances the
ability of acne medications to reduce lesions. A prepackaged
kit is available that contains tretinoin cream, a gentle cleanser
and a moisturizer (Tretin-X), thus providing an additional “convenience value.” A recent study evaluating the use of
tazarotene 0.1% cream (Tazorac) and a ceramide-based moisturizer cream (CeraVe Cream) in subjects with acne vulgaris
demonstrated that application of the moisturizer first did not
interfere with therapeutic results and mitigated signs and
symptoms of skin irritation.
NEWER TOPICAL RETINOID FORMULATIONS
Newer topical retinoid formulations that have emerged add
to the dermatology armamentarium. Adapalene gel 0.3%
(Differin 0.3%) once daily has been shown to produce twothirds of its therapeutic effect within the first month of tre a tment. A water-based gel containing tretinoin 0.05% (Atralin)
4 • MARCH 2008 • SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING
applied once daily proved to be comparable to, but not noninferior to, tretinoin microsphere gel 0.1% (Retin-A Micro) based
on data from a 12-week controlled study; however, tolerability
was superior with the aqueous-based gel.
A combination aqueous polymer gel containing clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% (Ziana)
includes tretinoin in both solubilized and crystalline forms. The
crystalline form of tretinoin allows for slow release of active
drug with very low skin irritation, and particle size is tightly
controlled, thus providing optimal penetration. The superior
efficacy of the combination clindamycin/tretinoin gel applied
once daily as compared to individual active components was
established in large, Phase III trials in subjects with mild, moderate, and severe acne vulgaris (Figure 5).
NEWER BENZOYL PEROXIDE FORMULATIONS
Newer formulations of BPO appear to offer the advantages
of reduced skin irritation without loss of efficacy and potential-
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
ly superior efficacy in some cases, as compared to some older
formulations (F i g u re 6). A “triple moisturizer- i n g redient formulation” (Benziq), available as a wash and “leave on” gel, was
shown to be less irritating than some other comparator BPO
products in a cumulative irritancy study. The microsphere
cream formulation of BPO 5.5% (NeoBenz Micro) has demonstrated efficacy in clinical studies with a very favorable tolerability profile; one study demonstrated superior efficacy with the
tretinoin microsphere cream (NeoBenz Micro) as compared to
benzoyl peroxide gel 6% (Triaz) in patients with acne vulgaris.
A “direct from the doctor” 3-part acne treatment system
(Clenziderm MD, Normal to Oily Skin) utilizing a salicylic acid
2%-containing cleanser and “pore gel” followed by a 5% gel
containing solubilized BPO has been evaluated in several trials.
Unlike conventional BPO formulations, the solubilized BPO in
the 3-part proprietary system is micronized such that individual
BPO particles are small enough to penetrate into the follicular
orifice where P. acnes resides. This 3-part acne treatment system has demonstrated both reduction in P. acnes and efficacy
comparable to benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin gel (Benzaclin) in
preliminary trials along with high patient pre f e rence ratings.
Another 3-part acne treatment system, available from the
same manufacturer, contains solubilized BPO 5% lotion combined with a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (Clenziderm MD,
Normal to Dry Skin) and does not contain the components with
salicylic acid 2%.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES IN ACNE T H E R A P Y
The majority of post-teenage females with acne exhibit
normal serum androgen levels. Acne appears to occur secondary to increased local androgen production within sebaceous glands. Many adult-onset or adult-persistent cases of
acne vulgaris in females present with a preponderance of
inflammatory lesions involving the lower cheeks, jawline,
chin and lateral neck.
The only progestin available in an oral contraceptive (OC)
formulation that exhibits antiandrogen activity is drosperinone
found in a formulation that also contains 20 mcg of ethinyl
estradiol (YAZ). This formulation is approved for moderate acne
and is comprised of 24 days of active therapy and 4 hormonefree days, resulting in a short menstrual cycle. In a placebocontrolled, randomized, double-blind, 6-cycle clinical study,
451 females received the active OC formulation and 442
received placebo. After the first cycle, subjects receiving active
OC treatment demonstrated a markedly greater reduction in
total acne lesions, which continued to progress throughout the
sixth cycle (study endpoint).
ACNE APPEARS TO OCCUR
SECONDARY TO INCREASED LOCAL
ANDROGEN PRODUCTION WITHIN
SEBACEOUS GLANDS.
When using OCs to treat females with acne vulgaris, side
effects may be decreased by using formulations that contain
lower doses of the estrogenic component (ethinyl estradiol).
In addition to reduction in acne lesions, other potential benefits of OC use include regulation of menstrual cycle, reduction
in perimenstrual symptoms, such as cramping, decrease in
ovarian cyst formation, reduction in bone demineralization,
and decrease in risk of ovarian and colorectal cancer.
Potential side effects of OC use include thromboembolism
and cerebral vascular accident. It has been recommended
that clinicians not prescribe OCs to women who smoke due
to an increased risk of vascular-related complications.
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F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
ORAL ANTIBIOTICS IN ACNE T H E R A P Y
Dermatologists have been prescribing oral antibiotics,
such as tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline, for acne
vulgaris since the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, re spectively,
based on clinical experience and a scattered collection of
small clinical studies. However, extended-release minocycline (Solodyn) is the only oral antibiotic that is approved by
THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC
EVIDENCE THAT PILL SPLITTING
OF ANY TABLET FORMULATION OF
DOXYCYCLINE PRODUCES
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
WITHOUT AN ANTIBIOTIC EFFECT.
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on
large-scale, Phase III studies demonstrating efficacy and
safety. The extended-release formulation of minocycline
produces a slower time to peak plasma level (Cmax) and a
d e c rease in total cumulative exposure to minocycline as
c o m p a red to immediate-release minocycline formulations.
Results from Phase II and Phase III trials substantiate therapeutic equivalence for acne vulgaris with extendedrelease minocycline when dosed at 1 mg/kg/day as compared to 2 mg/kg/day and 3 mg/kg/day. Importantly, a
markedly lower incidence of acute vestibular side eff e c t s
(ie, dizziness) comparable to placebo was seen at 1
mg/kg/day as compared to higher doses.
6 • MARCH 2008 • SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING
An enteric-coated tablet of doxycycline (Doryx) appears to
provide reduced gastrointestinal (GI) upset as compared to
immediate-release doxycycline formulations. However, enteric
coating is not synonymous with extended-release and serves
to delay initial gastric dissolution in an attempt to reduce GI
upset. Enteric coating may allow for once-daily administration
in some patients when using 150 mg to 200 mg of doxycycline
daily. With the exception of anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline
administered once daily, ie, doxycycline 40-mg delayed-release
capsule (Oracea), all other formulations of doxycycline produce
antibiotic activity. Anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline is FDAapproved for treatment of rosacea. There is no scientific evidence that pill splitting of any tablet formulation of doxycycline
produces anti-inflammatory activity without an antibiotic effect.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE MEDICINE CABINET
TREATMENTS FOR ROSACEA
The only FDA-approved oral therapy for rosacea is antiinflammatory dose doxycycline (Oracea), administered as a
patented doxycycline 40-mg delayed-release capsule once
daily. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline
appears to relate at least partially to downregulation of the activity of several matrix metalloprotease enzymes (MMPs). Antiinflammatory dose doxycycline offers advantages over conventional oral antibiotic therapy. These include efficacy with a favorable safety profile, presence of long-term 9-month safety data
included in approved product labeling, and lack of antibiotic
activity as determined by long-term microbiologic studies evaluating oral, skin, gastrointestinal and vaginal flora. The absence
of antibiotic activity with anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline is
supported by the absence of vaginal candidiasis in female subjects who were actively treated in the pivotal Phase III studies.
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
Unlike anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline, doxycycline
100 mg daily administered over a 2-week period has been
shown to select for multiple resistant organisms within 7 days,
with more than 32.2% of organisms obtained from nasopharyngeal cultures demonstrating resistance to doxycycline as
compared to 2.2% at baseline. Doxycycline 50 mg once daily
achieves serum levels that exceed the minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) of several bacteria for 2 to 4 hours.
A study evaluating the combination of metronidazole gel 1%
(MetroGel 1%) and anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline
(Oracea), both used once daily, confirmed that the combination
regimen produced superior therapeutic benefit as compared to
topical metronidazole alone in patients with inflammatory
rosacea. After 4 weeks, the combination regimen produced
essentially the same reduction in inflammatory lesions that was
achieved with metronidazole gel 1% over 12 weeks (Figure 7) .
A recent trial demonstrated that azelaic acid gel 15%
(Finacea) once daily is therapeutically equivalent to twicedaily application in subjects with inflammatory ro s a c e a
(F i g u re 8). Study endpoints utilized quantitative, qualitative,
and static assessments, including lesion count evaluations
and global assessments. Once-daily use of azelaic acid gel
15% is more likely to be associated with optimal compliance and offers a cost benefit over time as compared to
twice-daily application.
TROLAMINE-CONTAINING TOPICAL EMULSION
Trolamine-containing topical emulsion (Biafine) is an oil-inwater formulation that has been used for more than 3 decades
in both the United States and Europe. The mechanism of
action of trolamine-containing topical emulsion appears to be
promotion of an increase in the number of macrophages
recruited to the injury site, thereby reducing the time needed for
healing. Macrophages promote wound healing and serve a
central role in directing the course and progression of the
wound-healing process. Therapeutic applications for trolaminecontaining topical emulsion include full-thickness wounds,
superficial wounds, including those that are postoperative, dermal ulcers, radiation dermatitis, minor abrasions, actinic keratosis treatment sites after cryotherapy, and wounds that
require second-intention healing after dermatologic surgery.
The use of trolamine-containing topical emulsion for the
treatment of radiation dermatitis has made it possible to
reduce overall treatment time of chemotherapy and radiotherapy because the modalities could be administered simultaneously rather than sequentially. Additionally, trolamine-containing topical emulsion differs from topical neomycin and bacitracin because the latter 2 agents are well recognized as common causes of contact allergy. 
References
1. Del Rosso JQ. Recently approved systemic therapies for acne vulgaris
and rosacea. Cutis. 2007;80(2):113–120.
2. Plott RT, Wortzman MS. Key bioavailability features of a new extendedrelease formulation of minocycline hydrochloride tablets. Cutis. 2006;78(4
Suppl):6–10.
3. Fleischer AB Jr, Dinehart S, Stough D, et al. Safety and efficacy of a new
e x t e n d e d - release formulation of minocycline. Cutis. 2006;78(4
Suppl):21–31.
4. Del Rosso JQ. Scientific panel on antibiotic use in dermatology. Submitted
for publication 2008.
5. Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF, Jackson M, et al. Two randomized phase III
clinical trials evaluating anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline (40-mg doxycycline, USP capsules) administered once daily for treatment of rosacea. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(5):791–802.
6. Webster G, Del Rosso JQ. Anti-inflammatory activity of tetracyclines.
Dermatol Clin. 2007;25(2):133–135.
7. Walker C, Webster GF, Del Rosso JQ. Effect of doxycycline 100 mg daily
on emergence of antibiotic resistance. Presented at the Fall Clinical
Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas, NV, October 18–21, 2007.
8. Fowler JF Jr. Combined effect of anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline (40mg doxycycline, USP monohydrate contro l l e d - release capsules) and
metronidazole topical gel 1% in treatment of rosacea. J Drugs Dermatol.
2007;6(6):641–645.
9. Fleischer AB, Thiboutot D, Del Rosso JQ. Comparison of azelaic acid gel
15% once daily versus twice daily in the treatment of rosacea. Presented at
the World Congress of Dermatology in Buenos Aires, Argentina, October
1–5, 2007.
10. Data on file. Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, 2008.
11. Del Rosso JQ, Tanghetti E. The clinical impact of vehicle technology
using a patented formulation of benzoyl peroxide 5%/clindamycin 1% gel:
comparative assessments of skin tolerability and evaluation of combination
use with a topical retinoid. J Drugs Dermatol. 2006;5(2):160–164.
12. Del Rosso JQ. Study results of benzoyl peroxide 5%/clindamycin 1%
gel, adapalene 0.1% gel, and use in combination for acne vulgaris. J Drugs
Dermatol. 2007;6(6):616–622.
13. Tanghetti E, Abramovits W, Solomon B, et al. Tazarotene versus
tazarotene plus clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group trial. J Drugs
Dermatol. 2006;5(3):256–261.
14. Bikowski JB, Del Rosso JQ. Results of a case report series using
tretinoin microsphere cream alone and in combination regimens for acne vulgaris. Submitted for publication 2008.
15. Del Rosso JQ, Bikowski JB. Trolamine-containing topical emulsion: clinical applications in dermatology. Cutis. In press.
16. Broughton G 2nd, Janis JE, Attinger CE. The basic science of wound
healing. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117(7 Suppl):12S–34S.
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F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
IS IT REALLY ROSACEA?
A DISCUSSION OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES, TREATMENTS
AND ADVANCES IN RESEARCH
BY JOSEPH BIKOWSKI, M.D.
BIKOWSKI SKIN CARE CENTER
SEWICKLEY, PA
here have been few, if
any, new systemic or topical medications developed in the last few years for the
treatment of rosacea, so oftentimes, advancement in therapy
relies upon the correct diagnosis.
The right medicine will not work
with the wrong diagnosis. For
every individual who pre s e n t s
Joseph Bikowski, M.D.
with a red, scaly face, the dermatologist will consider the differential diagnoses: rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact
dermatitis, etc. Is it really rosacea? Are there other things that
can look like rosacea?
T
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES AND UNUSUAL
FACES OF ROSACEA
Demodex dermatitis. When patients present with red, scaly
faces, the first consideration is whether there is an “infectious”
component or an infestation that can be cured or suppressed
for a prolonged period of time. Cases of Demodex dermatitis
can be treated with permethrin (Elimite) or crotamiton (Eurax)
twice daily, morning and night, for 2 to 4 weeks.
Case 1. A patient had been treated for almost 2 years for
rosacea and then seborrheic dermatitis without improvement
(Figure 1). A potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation revealed
Demodex. Because no other treatment had been effective,
the patient was started on Elimite twice daily, and within 2
weeks, his face cleared. The red, scaly rash over his forehead, nose and malar eminence disappeared. The patient
remained clear at 1-year follow-up.
Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and Demodex dermatitis
can exist separately or together. Oftentimes, the red scaling is not seborrheic dermatitis with rosacea or seborrheic
dermatitis alone. Rather, it may be Demodex dermatitis.
8 • MAR CH 2 008 • SUPPL EMEN T TO SKI N & AGING
Patients in whom the diagnosis of rosacea is suspected
should have KOH preparations performed on scrapings of
the scales from their faces and empirical treatment with
either Elimite or Eurax twice daily, morning and night, for 2
weeks. Individuals who are not improving with anti-rosacea
therapy or anti-seborrheic dermatitis therapy who still have
red, scaly faces should receive one of these topicals twice
daily for 2 to 4 weeks.
Steroid use/abuse/misuse dermatitis. Another unusual
p resentation that may resemble rosacea is stero i d
use/abuse/misuse dermatitis. Any cortisone molecule used
frequently over a long period of time in a susceptible individual can produce steroid use/abuse/misuse dermatitis.
Case 2. A 26-year-old woman presented with an
intensely pruritic, erythematous, scaly, papular eruption of 6
months’ duration on her face (F i g u re 2). For that period of
time, she had been applying a topical corticosteroid to her
face 4 times daily. The steroid responsible for this was
0.5% hydrocortisone cream.
PATIENTS IN WHOM THE DIAGNOSIS
OF ROSACEA IS SUSPECTED SHOULD
HAVE KOH PREPARATIONS
PERFORMED ON SCRAPINGS OF THE
SCALES FROM THEIR FACES.
Plaque rosacea. The usual presentation for rosacea is erythema, papules and pustules on the central third of the face.
However, there is a presentation called plaque rosacea in which
erythema, edema, papules and pustules appear only in one isolated area, ie, on one cheek (Figure 3). These patients respond
to rosacea therapy, especially systemic therapies.
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
FIGURE 1. DEMODEX DERMATITIS: AT BASELINE (LEFT) AND AFTER 2 WEEKS OF TREATMENT WITH PERMETHRIN TWICE DAILY (RIGHT).
BASELINE
AFTER 2 WEEKS
USUAL THERAPIES FOR ROSACEA
UNUSUAL TREATMENTS FOR ROSACEA
van Zuuren et al1 conducted a literature review of 71 randomized, controlled studies of rosacea therapy. Of the 71
studies, 29 met their inclusion criteria, but the quality in general of these studies was not considered very good. The
conclusions were that topical metronidazole and azelaic acid
a re effective therapies for rosacea. There was some evidence that oral metronidazole and tetracycline including
doxycycline and minocycline are effective, but the take-away
message was that there is a great need for randomized, controlled trials examining the efficacy of present medications for
the treatment of rosacea.
Del Rosso et al 2 conducted two such randomized, Phase
III clinical trials evaluating the anti-inflammatory doxycycline
40 mg a day administered once daily for the treatment of
rosacea. They concluded that once-daily anti-inflammatory
dose doxycycline appears to be effective and safe for the
treatment of ro s a c e a .
Skin care. The skin of the rosacea patient can be either oily
or dry. Certainly, it can be extremely sensitive in some cases.
There can be altered cutaneous vascular reactivity and, most
importantly, skin barrier dysfunction, which is defined as
increased transepidermal water loss, increased susceptibility
to irritants, allergens and pathogens, and increased skin
inflammation through cytokine-mediated lipogenesis.
Skin barrier dysfunction exists in most inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne and aged,
actinicly damaged skin. The stratum corneum is a “bricks” and
“mortar” structure. Corneocytes are the bricks, and sitting
between the corneocytes is the mortar, the lipid matrix, which
has a certain constitution that needs to be restored. Ceramides
are most important, constituting about 40% to 50% of the lipid
matrix. In addition to the ceramides, the lipid matrix contains
free sterols and free fatty acid. There are also lipid bilayers,
which become a moisture barrier for the stratum corneum.
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F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
FIGURE 2. STEROID USE/ABUSE/MISUSE DERMATITIS: A 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH
A 6-MONTH HISTORY OF AN ERYTHEMATOUS, PAPULAR, SCALY, INTENSELY
PRURITIC FACIAL ERUPTION.
Additionally, inside the corneocytes is natural moisturizing factor. All of these can be disrupted in inflammatory diseases, so
restoring them as part of skin care and treatment for rosacea
and other inflammatory diseases is most important.
Products that can restore the skin barrier are available over
the counter and soon by prescription. CeraVe is available over
the counter as a cleanser and a moisturizer. Another over-thecounter product is Triceram from Osmotics, and Elizabeth
Arden also has a line of products available over the counter.
Patients being treated for inflammatory skin disease, especially rosacea, should be encouraged to purchase one of
these products as a cleanser and a moisturizer.
THERE IS AN INCREASED INCIDENCE
OF ROSACEA PATIENTS WITH
MIGRAINE HEADACHES. BOTH
ROSACEA AND MIGRAINES ARE
VASCULAR DILATATION PHENOMENA.
FIGURE 3. PLAQUE ROSACEA: A 48-YEAR-OLD
MAN WITH A 2-YEAR HISTORY OF AN
EDEMATOUS, ERYTHEMATOUS PAPULE
AND PUSTULE STUDDED LESION OF
THE LEFT CHEEK.
Isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is effective in the treatment of the
facial edema that can be associated with acne, and it also is an
effective treatment for rosacea. Isotretinoin 30 mg twice daily
for the treatment of rosacea is an off-label indication, but it is
something to consider.
Aspirin. While papules and pustules are not much of a challenge, erythema can be. There is an increased incidence of
rosacea patients with migraine headaches. Both rosacea and
migraines are vascular dilatation phenomena. The repeated
flushing associated with rosacea leaves one with persistent erythema. Neurologists recommend aspirin 81 mg long acting as
prophylaxis against migraine headaches. It also works for
rosacea flushing and blushing. If patients are asked to keep
track of their flushing and blushing episodes with a calendar
diary for 30 days after starting on 81 mg of aspirin daily it
becomes evident that the episodes of flushing decrease in
severity, intensity and rates of occurrence.
Water-based emulsion or nonsteroidal cre a m . Other
options for treating the erythema of rosacea are water-based
emulsions or nonsteroidal creams. In a patient who has persistent erythema in whom Demodex dermatitis has been ruled
out, use of Mimyx or Atopiclair may be effective (Figure 4).
ADVANCES IN BASIC RESEARCH
Yamasaki and colleagues 3 at the University of
C a l i f o rnia, San Diego, have been studying cathelicidin
10 • MARCH 200 8 • SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
FIGURE 4. ERYTHEMA OF ROSACEA: A 41-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WITH PERSISTENT ERYTHEMA OF
ROSACEA BASELINE AND AFTER 4 WEEKS OF MIMYX TWICE DAILY.
BASELINE
and stratum corneum tryptic enzymes, which lead to
abnormal peptides and the signs and symptoms of
rosacea. They discovered increased levels of cathelicidin
and diff e rent cathelicidins in patients who have ro s a c e a
versus those who do not have rosacea, and these pep-
A NEW AREA OF RESEARCH FOR
ROSACEA THAT APPEARS PROMISING
IS DETERMINING THE ROLE OF
CATHELICIDINS AND TRYPTIC
ENZYMES AND THEIR POSSIBLE
ASSOCIATIONS WITH ROSACEA.
AFTER 4 WEEKS
CONCLUSION
Few new medications have been developed for the treatment of rosacea in recent years; however, even the newest
rosacea treatment will not be effective if the patient does not
have rosacea. In treating cases of suspected rosacea, it is
important for the dermatologist to consider the differential
diagnoses, such as seborrheic dermatitis and irritant/allergic
contact dermatitis, and also to be aware of unusual presentations of rosacea, such as plaque rosacea. Basic skin care
remains essential in the treatment of patients with rosacea,
and new products that have become available over the counter offer patients a wider variety from which to choose. Finally,
further research on the role of cathelicidin in rosacea may provide dermatologists new treatment options in the future. 
References
1. van Zuuren EJ, Gupta AK, Gover MD, Graber M, Hollis S. Systematic
review of rosacea treatments. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(1):107–115.
tides can lead to inflammation, which can be blocked by
the use of antibiotics. Further study is warranted to
determine how decreasing cathelicidin will advance
rosacea therapy.
2. Del Rosso JQ, Webster GF, Jackson M, et al. Two randomized phase III
clinical trials evaluating anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline (40-mg doxycycline, USP capsules) administered once daily for treatment of rosacea. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(5):791–802.
3. Yamasaki K, Di Nardo A, Bardan A, et al. Increased serine protease activity and cathelicidin promotes skin inflammation in rosacea. Nat Med.
2007;13(8):975–980.
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F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
TREATING ACNE WITH ORAL
CONTRACEPTIVES
A GUIDE FOR SAFE, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PRESCRIBING
BY JULIE C. HARPER, M.D.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA – BIRMINGHAM
BIRMINGHAM, AL
hile some dermatologists have been prescribing oral contraceptives for the treatment of acne
for many years with much success, others are resistant. The
goal of this article is to assure the
safe, effective and efficient prescription of oral contraceptives for
acne patients, which will result in
improvements in patients’ acne
Julie C. Harper, M.D.
and their overall quality of life.
Acne is a complex multifactorial disorder. Since there are
4 diff e rent causes in the pathogenetic process, combination
t reatments that target the multiple pathogenetic factors will
offer the greatest improvement in the shortest amount of
time. Oral contraceptives can be added to the armamentarium as another option for treatment.
The 4 causes of acne are follicular epidermal hyperproliferation, excess sebum, Propionibacterium acnes and inflammation. During follicular epidermal hyperproliferation, plugging
causes the development of comedones and microcomedones.
For excess sebum, hormonal therapy, whether it is spironolactone, flutamide or oral contraceptives, creates an antiandrogen
effect that has most of its impact on the sebaceous gland.
While probably not the first event in the pathogenetic process,
Propionibacterium acnes certainly is a cause. Also, whether or
not inflammation is the first event in the process or it is secondary to P. acnes is a difficult question to answer.
Oral contraceptives are not monotherapy for acne; rather,
they fall into the mix of topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxides,
and antibiotics. The type of oral contraceptive prescribed for
acne is a combination of ethinyl estradiol and a progestin.
Ethinyl estradiol varies in dose from pill to pill from 20 micrograms to 50 micrograms in a pill. The amount of ethinyl estradiol is important, because many of the risk factors associated
with birth control pills are associated with higher doses of
W
12 • MARCH 2008 • SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING
ethinyl estradiol. The progestins in combination birth control
pills vary widely but may include norethindrone acetate, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, norgestimate, and drospirenone
among others. Drospirenone is the only progestin available in
the United States that is antiandrogenic alone. Some other
progestins can be proandrogenic.
Oral contraceptives are antiandrogenic because ethinyl
estradiol in combination birth control pills increases sex hormone binding globulin. Sex hormone binding globulin acts as
a sponge — it soaks up free testosterone and decreases the
amount that is free and circulating and capable of having its
impact at the sebaceous gland, for example. Also, there is a
negative feedback to the hypothalamus and pituitary, which
results in decreased production and release of gonadotropin
releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating
hormone. This then results in decreased ovarian production
of hormone. Also, because ovulation is blocked, the ovary
produces less androgen.
The novel progestin, dro s p i renone, is equivalent to about
25 mg of spironolactone when it is in a 3 mg dose, which
is available in 2 birth control pills that are on the market now
in the United States. Dro s p i renone has antimineralocorticoid properties as well.
Attendees focus on new clinical information.
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
Attendees learning the latest in the field.
WHICH ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE
WORKS IN ACNE?
It is likely that many oral contraceptives have some impact in
acne. The dermatologist should choose one or two pills with
which he or she feels comfortable and use those. The U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 3 oral contraceptives to treat acne: Estrostep, Ortho Tri-Cyclen and YAZ,
which is the newcomer. YAZ was FDA approved for acne in
2007. A Cochrane meta-analysis evaluated 21 studies using
oral contraceptive pills in the management of acne. The number one conclusion is it is difficult to compare trials because
investigators in acne studies do not always use the same standard to measure whether or not acne is improving. The only
real conclusion the authors could draw was that combination
oral contraceptive pills that contained either cyproterone
acetate or chlormadinone acetate — both of which are not
available in the United States — were more effective than oral
contraceptive pills that contained levonorgestrel.
One study compared the effect of Yasmin to Diane-35 on
cases of mild to moderate acne. Yasmin has dro s p i renone (3
mg), while Diane-35 has cyproterone acetate (2 mg), which
also is antiandrogenic. In the head-to-head comparison, 128
people were included for 9 cycles of treatment. In both
groups, the lesion counts were reduced by about 60% and the
sex hormone binding globulin increased 3-fold in both groups.
Yasmin also was compared head to head with Ortho TriCyclen. The study enrolled more than 500 women in each group
for 6 months of treatment. Yasmin was superior in reduction of
total lesion counts and investigator’s assessment, but in reduction of inflammatory lesions, the two were fairly equivalent.
The newest oral contraceptive approved for the management of acne is dro s p i renone 3 mg and ethinyl estradi-
ol 20 micrograms (YAZ). In one study, 431 people were
e n rolled and received either YAZ or placebo. There was
about a 50% mean percent change in inflammatory lesions
by the end of the sixth month of treatment. Since this was
monotherapy, 50% reduction is an impressive change.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE RISKS
One reason dermatologists may not prescribe oral contraceptives for their acne patients is the risks associated with
birth control pills. These risks include venous thromboembolism, stroke, myocardial infarction and breast cancer.
Venous thromboembolism. The risk of venous thromboembolism is tripled in current users of oral contraceptives.
It is increased to 4 to 18 events per 10,000 woman-years.
The risk increases with higher doses of ethinyl estradiol. Also,
the mortality rate doubles in women aged 35 to 45.
Stroke. There is a 2.5x increase in ischemic stroke in
women age 20 to 24 who use birth control pills. Again, the
risk is directly proportional to the ethinyl estradiol dose.
Choose pills that have a lower dose of ethinyl estradiol. The
risk increases with age. It also increases when other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, hypertension and migraine
headaches, are present.
Myocardial infarction. Eighty percent of myocardial infarctions that occur in women who are on birth control pills occur
in women who also smoke cigarettes, with the remainder
occurring in oral contraceptive users with other risk factors,
such as hypertension or diabetes.
Breast cancer. A large World Health Organization metaanalysis looked at more than 53,000 women with breast cancer and more than 100,000 controls. The relative risk of
breast cancer was 1.24 in current users of birth control pills
SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING • MARCH 2008 • 13
F A L L C L I N I C A L D E R M AT O L O G Y C O N F E R E N C E P R O C E E D I N G S
Exhibit area at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference®.
and the relative risk of cancer that had spread versus
remained localized was 0.88. However, those risks are rare.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE BENEFITS
There are several protective benefits of birth control pills.
These benefits include protection against ovarian cancer,
endometrial cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine
leiomyomas, and ovarian cysts and regulation of the menstrual cycle. There is a 40% to 80% overall decreased risk of
ovarian cancer in women who take birth control pills.
Protection begins after one year of use, increases by 10% to
12% annually, and persists for another 15 to 20 years after
the pill is discontinued. Similarly with endometrial cancer,
there is up to a 50% decreased risk of endometrial cancer in
women who take birth control pills. Again, protection begins
after one year, increases with duration of use, and persists for
up to 15 years after discontinuation of the medication.
ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects reported with oral contraceptive use include
irregular bleeding, nausea, weight gain, mood changes and
breast tenderness. No clinical trials confirm that weight gain
is a problem with birth control pills. The thought is the ethinyl
estradiol causes water retention and associated weight gain.
Drospirenone, which has some antimineralocorticoid properties, also has a diuretic effect. Using drospirenone may offset
water retention and weight gain. Irregular bleeding is most
common in the first 3 months of treatment. Spotting is normal
during the first 3 months and does not require stopping treatment or changing the pill. After the third month, it may be
necessary to increase the ethinyl estradiol dose and prescribe
a different pill. Irregular bleeding is one side effect that worsens with lower ethinyl estradiol doses. Most other side effects
improve with lower ethinyl estradiol doses.
history is necessary. Much of the pertinent information already
will be readily available in the patient’s chart, but it may be
necessary to spend a few extra moments talking with patients
about contraindications. Contraindications include pregnancy; current breast cancer; breast feeding; age over 35 and
heavy smoker (more than 15 cigarettes a day); hypertension;
diabetes with nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and vascular disease; deep vein thrombosis, history or current; history of heart disease; history of stroke; and migraine headaches
with focal neurological symptoms at any age or without neurological symptoms in patients > 35 years of age.
When prescribing oral contraceptives, give patients re a s o nable expectations. Improvement in acne is not expected until
the patient has been taking the oral contraceptive for 3 months
or longer. Consider combination therapy early in the treatment
of acne. Many topical and systemic acne treatments will have
a positive impact on acne as early as 4 to 8 weeks. Discuss
potential side effects, namely irregular bleeding, and assure the
patient that it is not a sign of anything gone wrong if she spots
during the first 3 months of treatment.
There are several options for starting a birth control pill. One
is the Sunday of the next menstrual period. The next is the
first day of the next menstrual period. The last option is immediately upon obtaining a negative pregnancy test.
Some combination therapies include antibiotics. Antibiotics
and birth control pills can be used safely; however, of all the
interactions that have been reported, 76% involve rifampin.
Rifampin is a potent inducer of cytochrome p450, which
increases metabolism of oral contraceptives and other medications. The hypothesis with antibiotic use is antibiotics
decrease the gut flora that are needed to further degrade
inactive metabolites of the oral contraceptives to active drug
during enterohepatic recirculation. This theory has never been
substantiated. Two studies in the dermatology literature look
at pregnancy rate in women who are on birth control pills and
antibiotics. The pregnancy rate was not statistically different
between women who were on both versus women who were
on a birth control pill alone (1.6% versus 0.96%).
CONCLUSION
Oral contraceptives prescribed effectively, safely and efficiently
will greatly impact the quality of life of women with acne. 
References
PRESCRIBING ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES
FOR ACNE
Prior to prescribing oral contraceptives for acne patients,
performing a pelvic exam is not necessary; however, taking a
14 • MARCH 200 8 • SUPPLEMENT TO SKIN & AGING
1. Hersh EV. Adverse drug interactions in dental practice: interactions involving antibiotics: part II of a series. J Am Dental Assoc. 1999;130(2):236–251.
2. London BM, Lookingbill DP. Frequency of pregnancy in acne patients taking oral antibiotics and oral contraceptives. A rch Derm a t o l.
1994;130(3):392–393.