STEPS
New Drug Reviews
Sarecycline (Seysara) for the Treatment of Acne
Am Fam Physician. 2020 Aug 15;102(4):245-246.
Sarecycline (Seysara) is a tetracycline-class medication. It is labeled for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris in patients nine years and older.1
Safety
As with other drugs in the tetracycline class, sarecycline can cause teratogenic effects. Limited human data demonstrate an association between tetracycline use and subsequent birth defects or miscarriage. Tetracyclines are known to cross the placenta into fetal tissues. Animal studies have shown skeletal defects in offspring. Due to the risk of fetal harm, sarecycline should not be used by pregnant women. Patients suspected of being pregnant should immediately discontinue treatment.1 Sarecycline should not be taken by breastfeeding women because of the risk of adverse effects on infant bone and tooth development.1 In animal studies, sarecycline decreases spermatogenesis at high doses, and decreased fertility may occur in men taking sarecycline.
| Drug | Dosage | Dose form | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
Sarecycline (Seysara) | Once daily; recommended dosing is based on patient's body weight | Tablets: 60 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg | $740 |
*—Estimated lowest GoodRx price for one month of treatment. Actual cost will vary with insurance and by region. Information obtained at https://www.goodrx.com (accessed June 29, 2020; zip code: 66211).
| Drug | Dosage | Dose form | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
Sarecycline (Seysara) | Once daily; recommended dosing is based on patient's body weight | Tablets: 60 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg | $740 |
*—Estimated lowest GoodRx price for one month of treatment. Actual cost will vary with insurance and by region. Information obtained at https://www.goodrx.com (accessed June 29, 2020; zip code: 66211).
Like other antibiotics, sarecycline can cause Clostridioides difficile–associated diarrhea.1 Sarecycline should not be administered with oral retinoids because the combination may increase intracranial pressure. Antacids may decrease absorption and should be taken on a separate dosing schedule. Sarecycline can interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin and should not be administered concurrently. Sarecycline may decrease plasma prothrombin activity, and decreased anticoagulant dosing may be required due to an increased risk of bleeding. Sarecycline has not demonstrated any clinically significant effects on oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone acetate.1
Tolerability
Sarecycline is generally
References
1. DailyMed. Drug label information. Seysara—sarecycline hydrochloride tablet, coated. Accessed November 16, 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=b200957c-3004-4988-be97-9fd619a83649.
2. Leyden JJ, Sniukiene V, Berk DR, et al. Efficacy and safety of sarecycline, a novel, once-daily, narrow spectrum antibiotic for the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris: results of a phase 2, dose-ranging study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(3):333–338.
3. Moore A, Green LJ, Bruce S, et al. Once-daily oral sarecycline 1.5 mg/kg/day is effective for moderate to severe acne vulgaris: results from two identically designed, phase 3, randomized, double-blind clinical trials. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(9):987–996.
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