Clascoterone is a prescription medicine (Androgen Receptor Inhibitor). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Winlevi
- Drug class
- Androgen Receptor Inhibitor
- Taken
- Topical
- Label
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., revised January 2, 2025 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- No · details
What it is used for
WINLEVI (clascoterone) cream is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. WINLEVI (clascoterone) cream is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )
Forms and strengths
Cream 1%. Each gram of WINLEVI cream contains 10 mg of clascoterone in a white to almost white cream. Cream 1%. ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
None. None ( 4 )
Warnings and precautions
Local Irritation: Pruritus, burning, skin redness or peeling may be experienced with WINLEVI cream. If these effects occur, discontinue or reduce the frequency of application of WINLEVI cream. ( 5.1 ) Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression may occur during or after treatment with clascoterone. ( 5.2 ) Attempt to withdraw use if HPA axis suppression develops. ( 5.2 ) Pediatric patients may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity. ( 5.2 , 8.4 ) Hyperkalemia: Elevated potassium levels were observed in some subjects during the clinical trials. ( 12.2 )
5.1 Local Skin Reactions WINLEVI 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.
5.2 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 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. 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.
Side effects (adverse reactions)
Most common adverse reactions occurring in 7 to 12% of patients are erythema/reddening, pruritus and scaling/dryness. Additionally, edema, stinging, and burning occurred in >3% of patients and were reported in a similar percentage of subjects treated with vehicle. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 1-800-818-4555 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1 Clinical Trials Experience 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 WINLEVI 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 reported by ≥ 1% of subjects treated with WINLEVI cream are shown in the following table. Table 1. Incidence of New or Worsening Local Skin Reactions Reported by ≥ 1% of Subjects Treated with WINLEVI Cream After Day 1 in 12-Week Controlled Clinical Trials WINLEVI Cream 1% (N=674 a ) Vehicle Cream (N=656 a ) a The denominators for calculating the percentages were the 674 of 709 subjects treated with WINLEVI cream and 656 of 712 subjects treated with vehicle in these trials who had local skin reaction results reported after Day 1. Edema 24 (3.6%) 23 (3.5%) Erythema/redness 82 (12.2%) 101 (15.4%) Pruritus 52 (7.7%) 54 (8.2%) Scaling/dryness 71 (10.5%) 68 (10.4%) Skin atrophy 11 (1.6%) 17 (2.6%) Stinging/burning 28 (4.2%) 28 (4.3%) Striae rubrae 17 (2.5%) 10 (1.5%) Telangiectasia 8 (1.2%) 12 (1.8%) The following adverse reactions associated with the use of WINLEVI cream were identified in clinical trials and long-term safety studies. Metabolism: hyperkalemia [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] Reproductive: polycystic ovaries, amenorrhea.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available data on WINLEVI 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 (see Data ). 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. Data Animal Data In an embryofetal development study, clascoterone was administered subcutaneously to pregnant rats at doses of 1, 5, or 25 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. No clascoterone-related maternal toxicity or effects on uterine parameters were noted at doses up to 25 mg/kg/day (336 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison). Clascoterone-related malformations were noted at all dose levels, without a dose relationship. Omphalocele was noted in a single fetus at each dose level. External and visceral malformations (severe dilation of the lateral and third cerebral ventricles; thin skin, small size, and protruding tongue) were noted in two additional fetuses at 1 mg/kg/day (8 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison). In an embryofetal development study, clascoterone was administered subcutaneously to pregnant rabbits at doses of 0.1, 0.4, or 1.5 mg/kg/day during the period of organogenesis. Post-implantation loss and resorptions were increased at 1.5 mg/kg/day (39 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison). No developmental toxicity was noted at doses up to 0.4 mg/kg/day (12 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison). No clascoterone-related maternal toxicity or fetal malformations were noted at doses up to 1.5 mg/kg/day (39 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison). In a prenatal and postnatal development study, clascoterone was administered subcutaneously to pregnant rats at doses of 0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 mg/kg/day beginning on gestation day 6 and continuing through lactation day 20. No significant maternal or developmental toxicity was observed at doses up to 12.5 mg/kg/day (163 times the MRHD based on AUC comparison).
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary 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.
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of WINLEVI 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 [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Safety and effectiveness of WINLEVI cream for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris has not been established in pediatric patients under 12 years of age. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression was observed in 2/22 (9%) adolescent subjects. All subjects returned to normal HPA axis function at follow-up 4 weeks after stopping the treatment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ]. Children may be more susceptible to systemic toxicity when treated with clascoterone [see Pharmacodynamics (12.2) ].
8.5 Geriatric Use Clinical studies of WINLEVI 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.
How it works
Clascoterone is an androgen receptor inhibitor. The mechanism of action of WINLEVI cream for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris is unknown.
Is there a generic Clascoterone?
No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.
Brand-name versions
- Winlevi Sun Pharm, approved 2020
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID 1673a84b-7f5c-47ab-a99c-1e3db21a6a09.