Effects of oral zinc and vitamin A in acne.
The effects of oral zinc sulfate (corresponding to 135 mg of zinc daily) alone and in combination with vitamin A (300,000 international units) daily on acne lesions have been compared with those of vitamin A alone and of a placebo. The number of comedones, papules, pustules, and infiltrates were counted at each visit. After four weeks, there was a significant decrease in the number of papules, pustules, and infiltrates in the zinc-treated groups. The effect of zinc plus vitamin A was not better than zinc alone. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean acne score had decreased from 100% to 15%. The mechanism for the effect of zinc therapy in acne, to our knowledge, is not presently known.¿
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D013431:Sulfates; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010919:Placebos; D013431:Sulfates; D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc