{"id":21423,"date":"2021-12-02T13:52:57","date_gmt":"2021-12-02T21:52:57","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=21423"},"modified":"2024-02-16T09:35:45","modified_gmt":"2024-02-16T17:35:45","slug":"winlevi-acne-prescription","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/winlevi-acne-prescription","title":{"rendered":"Why You Should Know About Winlevi, a New FDA-Approved Acne Medication"},"content":{"rendered":"

Despite the fact that acne is the most common skin condition, affecting up to 50 million Americans annually (this according to the American Academy of Dermatology<\/a>), it’s not a category where there’s a lot of innovation. Whether they’re over-the-counter or prescription, the treatments that doctors rely on tend to be the same things that have been used for decades. There are oral medications such as Accutane<\/a>, spironolactone, and antibiotics, and tried-and-true topical ingredients such as retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a new type of topical acne treatment. <\/p>

Winlevi is a prescription-only acne cream that works in an entirely different manner from that of any other topicals (including the other new kid on the block, Twyneo<\/a>), and it’s got dermatologists buzzing. Ahead, more on this groundbreaking medication and how it will fit into the existing arsenal of acne-fighting options.<\/p>

How does Winlevi work?<\/h2>

Winlevi is the brand name for clascoterone, a topical medication that inhibits androgens, male hormones that impact oil production, explains Dr. Corey L. Hartman<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in Homewood, Alabama. <\/p>

So why is that exciting? “Up until now, we’ve had no topicals that address oil production, despite it being one of the main contributing factors to acne,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner<\/a>. It’s being referred to as a topical version of spironolactone, one of the most effective—and popular—oral medications used to treat hormonal acne in women. <\/p>

“Spironolactone has been a very, very effective option. Even in instances when Accutane has failed, it’s helped women who have hormonal or androgen-dependent acne,” explains Dr. Sheryl D. Clark<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Dr. Hartman agrees, calling it a “gold standard” and noting that it’s a topic of discussion with at least 75% of his female acne patients.<\/p>

While spironolactone is both inexpensive and tends to be fairly well tolerated, it isn’t without its drawbacks. Some people simply don’t want to take a pill, not to mention that men can’t take it due to the systemic hormonal effects. Similarly, it’s off limits for pregnant women, because its anti-androgenic activity can affect the development of reproductive organs in male fetuses, notes Dr. Clark.<\/p>

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Who is a good candidate for Winlevi?<\/h2>

Winlevi is FDA-approved for the treatment of acne in patients 12 years and older. Dr. Zeichner notes that it can be used to address not only hormonal but also inflammatory acne as well as blackheads and whiteheads. Perhaps most noteworthy is the fact that it is a safe option for both male and female patients, something Dr. Zeichner says is a huge benefit.<\/p>

The FDA states<\/a> that there’s no data to evaluate the risks associated with Winlevi use in pregnant women. But Dr. Hartman says that because there’s low systemic absorption, this is a decision he’d leave up to patients. Dr. Clark agrees: “Theoretically, there’s no reason it couldn’t be used in pregnancy, since it’s not systemically absorbed.” <\/p>

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