Clascoterone at a glance
Medicine class
Topical androgen-receptor inhibitor
Licensed use
Acne vulgaris in people aged 12 years and over
Application
Apply externally to clean, dry, affected skin; do not spot-treat individual lesions
What is Clascoterone used for?
Clascoterone is licensed for:
Topical treatment of acne vulgaris in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
How does Clascoterone work?
Clascoterone blocks androgen receptors locally in the skin. This is thought to reduce androgen-driven acne pathways, including excess sebum production. Its complete mechanism is not fully characterised, and systemic exposure is low.
Clascoterone preparations and strengths
Cream
Route: Cutaneous
Strengths: 10 mg/g
How to take Clascoterone
Use only on the skin as directed by the prescriber.
Gently clean and dry the affected area first.
Spread a thin, uniform layer across the affected acne-prone area rather than treating individual spots.
Wash your hands before and after application.
Avoid the eyes, lips, mouth, corners of the nose, vagina and other mucous membranes. Rinse thoroughly with water after accidental contact.
Do not apply to cuts, abrasions, eczema or sunburnt skin.
Clascoterone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Skin redness
- Scaling or dryness
- Itching
- Stinging or burning
- Local swelling
- Skin thinning
- Stretch marks
- Visible small blood vessels
- Raised blood potassium
Get urgent medical advice
- Possible adrenal suppression, which may cause unexplained fatigue, weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss or altered mental state
Clascoterone in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable. Animal studies found adverse developmental effects at higher systemic exposures. Anyone who is pregnant, planning pregnancy or thinks they may be pregnant should discuss clascoterone with the prescriber before use.
Clascoterone while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether clascoterone passes into human milk or affects a breastfed child. The prescriber should balance the benefits of breastfeeding and treatment. Do not breastfeed if the breast or chest is being treated.
Clascoterone interactions
Formal interaction studies, including studies with other topical treatments, have not been performed.
Topical or inhaled corticosteroids
Use cautiously because both treatments may suppress the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.
Irritating or strongly drying topical products
Medicated or abrasive cleansers, alcohol-rich products and astringents may increase local irritation, so concurrent use should be limited.
Systemic medicines
Clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic interactions are not expected because systemic clascoterone exposure is very low.
Common questions about Clascoterone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is Clascoterone used for?
It is licensed as a topical treatment for acne vulgaris in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and over.
Should it be applied only to individual spots?
No. Spread a thin, uniform layer across the affected acne-prone area rather than using it only as a spot treatment.
Can it be applied to broken or irritated skin?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.