Acne is a multifactorial skin condition characterized by excess sebum production, epithelial hyperkeratinization, proliferation of the skin commensal bacteria, and inflammation. Circulating and locally synthesized natural ligands, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), serve as causative factors in both males and females. Upon binding of DHT, the DHT-androgen receptor complex dimerizes and translocates to the nucleus where it promotes the transcription of genes involved in acne pathogenesis, including proliferation and differentiation of sebocytes, excess sebum production, and inflammatory cytokine production. Clascoterone is a potent antagonist at ARs and competes for androgens in binding to the receptor, thereby inhibiting downstream signalling of ARs that promote acne.

Androgenetic alopecia is also an androgen-dependent and highly genetic condition. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to ARs expressed on dermal papilla cells (DPC) in the scalp to induce AR-mediated transcription of genes that contribute to androgenic alopecia. By blocking the interaction between DHT and aARs, clascoterone inhibits AR-regulated transcription and DHT-induced IL-6 synthesis.

Clascoterone cream is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.

Cleanse the affected area gently. After the skin is dry, apply a thin uniform layer of Clascoterone cream twice per day, in the morning and the evening, to the affected area. Avoid accidental transfer of Clascoterone cream into eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes. If contact with mucous membranes occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Clascoterone cream is for topical use only. This cream is not for ophthalmic, oral or vaginal use.

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In two identical multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials, 1421 subjects 12 years and older with facial acne vulgaris applied Clascoterone cream or vehicle twice daily for 12 weeks. Overall, 62% of the subjects were female, and 38% were male, 91% of the patients were Caucasian, and the mean age was 19.7 years.

Local skin reactions (edema, erythema/redness, pruritus, scaling/dryness, skin atrophy, stinging/burning, striae rubrea, telangiectasia) were observed during the 12-week treatment and occurred in a similar percentage of subjects treated with vehicle.

Local Skin Reactions: Clascoterone cream may induce local irritation (erythema/redness, pruritus, scaling/ dryness). Concomitant use with other potentially irritating topical products (medicated or abrasive soaps and cleansers, soaps and cosmetics that have a strong drying effect and products with high concentrations of alcohol, astringents, spices or lime) should be limited. The product should not be applied to cuts, abrasions, eczematous or sunburned skin.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis Suppression: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression was observed and may occur during or after treatment with clascoterone. In the PK trial, all subjects returned to normal HPA axis function at follow-up 4 weeks after stopping treatment. Conditions which augment systemic absorption include use over large surface areas, prolonged use, and the use of occlusive dressings. If HPA axis suppression develops, an attempt should be made to withdraw the drug. Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity.

Use in Special Populations

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of Clascoterone cream for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris have been established in 641 pediatric patients, aged 12 to 18 years in two identical multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 12-week trials and 2 open-label pharmacokinetic studies. Safety and effectiveness of Clascoterone cream for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris has not been established in pediatric patients under 12 years of age. 

Geriatric Use: Clinical studies of Clascoterone cream did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 years of age and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: There are no available data on Clascoterone cream use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, subcutaneous administration of clascoterone to pregnant rats and rabbits during organogenesis at doses 8 or 39 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD), respectively, increased malformations in rats and post-implantation loss and resorptions in rabbits. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Adverse outcomes in pregnancy occur regardless of the health of the mother or the use of medications. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Lactation: There are no data regarding the presence of clascoterone or metabolite in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. The lack of clinical data during lactation precludes a clear determination of the risk of clascoterone to an infant during lactation; therefore, the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother's clinical need for clascoterone and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from clascoterone or from the underlying maternal condition.