Tazarotene gel was more successful than tretinoin gel in clearing acne vulgaris in a head-to-head comparison, Dr. James J. Leyden reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.
In a multicenter, double-blind study 169 patients were randomized to treatment with one of two regimens for 12 weeks, applying either tazarotene 0.1% gel (Tazorac) or tretinoin 0.1% microsponge gel (Retina-A Micro) once each evening. Patients were evaluated every 4 weeks.
At the conclusion of the study there was a significantly higher incidence of treatment success, defined as at least a 50% global improvement, in the tazarotene group (67% vs. 49%).
Tazarotene use reduced the median number of comedones by 60% vs. 38% in the tretinoin group, and papules plus pustules by 36% vs. 46% among the tretinoin users, said Dr. Leyden of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Irritation was reported by 13% and 4% of patients using tazarotene and tretinoin, respectively. Burning was reported by 11% and 9%, erythema by 11% and 6%, and dryness by 7% and 6%. The rates of adverse effects were similar between the two groups.
Tazarotene is the first of a new group of synthetic retinoids that selectively binds to retinoic acid receptors in the skin.
The study was supported by Allergan Skin Care Inc., which markets Tazorac.
COPYRIGHT 2001 International Medical News Group
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group
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