Inflammatory acne management with a novel prescription dietary supplement

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory acne, particularly in post-adolescent women, is increasing in incidence. The most effective therapeutic modality for treatment of this type of acne has been the administration of oral tetracyclines. Long-term acne treatment with such drugs, however, is frequently accompanied by undesirable adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal disturbances, antianabolic effects, headaches, tinnitus, and photosensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of a novel dietary supplement in the overall management of patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris. METHODS: 235 patients with inflammatory acne vulgaris were enrolled by dermatologists in a multicenter, open-label, 8-week, prospective study evaluating the effects of adding NicAzel, 1 to 4 tablets daily, to their current acne treatment regimen. RESULTS: A statistically significant (P<.0001) number of patients demonstrated improvement over their previous acne treatment regimens after both 4 and 8 weeks of NicAzel (nicotinamide, azelaic acid, zinc, pyridoxine, copper, folic acid; Elorac Inc, Vernon Hills, IL) use. At week 8, 88% of the patients experienced a visible reduction in inflammatory lesions, and 81% of the patients rated their appearance as much or moderately better compared with baseline. Three-quarters (76%) of the patients thought NicAzel was at least as effective as previous treatment with oral antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Patients with inflammatory acne showed significant improvement in acne severity and overall appearance when NicAzel was added to their existing treatment regimen.