Zinc sulfate in acne vulgaris.
The effects of orally administered zinc sulfate in 52 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were compared to those of a placebo capsule. The numbers of comedones, papules, pustules, infiltrates, and cysts were counted at each visit over a 12-week period. Forty patients completed the study. Zinc appeared to have a somewhat beneficial effect on pustules but not on comedones, papules, infiltrates, or cysts. Fourteen patients (50%) in the zinc group had side effects of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Six patients (21%) in the zinc group could not tolerate the nausea and withdrew from the study.
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D010919:Placebos; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010919:Placebos; D015032:Zinc