Spironolactone vs doxycycline for acne in women
Official title: A randomized, double-blind, multi-center comparative effectiveness study of spironolactone versus doxycycline hyclate for the treatment of acne in women
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11387827 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-center trial compares spironolactone and doxycycline to treat acne in adult women to find which works better with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $545,765 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AR079752-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387827 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults (21+), primarily women, with moderate to severe acne who have not had satisfactory improvement with standard topical therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with contraindications to spironolactone or doxycycline, or those seeking non-systemic acne therapies, may not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This study enrolls adult women with acne to directly compare two common systemic treatments. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive spironolactone or doxycycline, with neither the patient nor the clinician knowing which medicine is given. The trial will collect information on acne outcomes and monitor for adverse effects, including any changes in the microbiome. Results could help doctors choose safer, more effective options for persistent acne in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could clarify which treatment provides better control of acne with fewer risks, guiding future care for patients like you.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows mixed results for these treatments; this study adds direct comparative data in a real-world, multi-center setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Margolis, David Joel — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Margolis, David Joel
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.