SUBMIT YOUR RESEARCH
Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SJMPS)
Volume-11 | Issue-05 | 401-407
Review Article
Unexpected Benefits of Beta-blockers in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review
Areej Alasiri, Norah Abu Mughaedh, Miad Abu Mughaedh
Published : May 20, 2025
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/sjmps.2025.v11i05.006
Abstract
Objectives: To systematically review and synthesize available clinical and experimental evidence on the effects of beta-blockers in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods: A thorough search across four databases identified 412 relevant publications. After removing duplicates using Rayyan QCRI and screening for relevance, the search yielded 209 publications, of which 29 full-text articles were reviewed, and 5 met the eligibility criteria for evidence synthesis. Results: We included 5 studies with a total of 205 patients and 140 (68.3%) were females. The findings consistently indicated beneficial effects in the management of non-inflammatory acne lesions, post-acne erythema, and acne scarring—particularly when used in conjunction with fractional CO₂ laser therapy. Across all studies, the treatment was well tolerated with no significant adverse effects reported. Conclusion: Topical beta-blockers, especially timolol maleate 0.5%, represent a promising adjunct in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Their clinical effectiveness, safety, and affordability make them a compelling option, particularly for patients unresponsive to or intolerant of standard therapies. Further randomized trials are necessary to validate their role and establish standardized treatment protocols.
Scholars Middle East Publishers
Browse Journals
Payments
Publication Ethics
SUBMIT ARTICLE
Browse Journals
Payments
Publication Ethics
SUBMIT ARTICLE
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
© Copyright Scholars Middle East Publisher. All Rights Reserved.