Acne vulgaris (adjunctive therapy)
Adjunctive therapy for acne with systemic zinc. Considered in patients with contraindications to systemic antibiotics or retinoids. Does not replace baseline treatment; effect is limited.
ICD-10 L70.02 drugs
Also known as: Acne vulgaris adjunct
Marketing claims without evidence base
The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.
- DProbiotics (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Saccharomyces boulardii)Not recommended · Probiotic microorganismsProbiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii) are sold as a supplement that supposedly helps acne by shifting the gut microbiome. Studies have not shown a clear benefit for acne, and there is no solid evidence base for this use. Acne responds to other things instead: topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, with a doctor adding systemic treatment for moderate to severe cases. Do not take probiotics in place of treatment that does work, or you may miss the care you actually need
- DZinc (oral salts: picolinate, citrate, gluconate, oxide, acetate)Not recommended · Mineral supplements. Trace elementsThe 2020 Cochrane review rated the effect of oral zinc on acne as limited in evidence volume and quality. Weak positive results for inflammatory acne in small RCTs. International dermatology guidelines (AAD, EAD) do not include zinc as first-line therapy. Topical zinc combined with erythromycin has a separate evidence base.
How to read tiers A–F
Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.
- AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
- BRecommended in selected cases
- CStudy data contradict each other
- DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
- FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit