Oral zinc sulfate therapy in Acne vulgaris: A double-blind trial

Abstract

The effect of zinc sulfate and placebo was compared in a double-blind trial in 56 patients suffering from Acne vulgaris. Serum vitamin A levels were studied in all, before and at the end of therapy. Twenty-nine patients received zinc sulfate 600 mg daily and 27 patients received placebo. Patients on placebo showed no improvement. After 12 weeks of treatment with zinc sulfate, 17 patients (58%) showed significant improvement. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of papules, infiltrates and cysts. In zinc-treated cases there was statistically significant increase in serum vitamin A levels, while no change was found in the placebo group.