Adapalene

This study compares the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene gel 0.1% and isotretinoin gel 0.05% in the treatment of acne vulgaris of the face. This was a randomized, open-label clinical trial involving 80 patients who were instructed to apply adapalene gel 0.1% or isotretinoin gel 0.05% once daily over a 12-week treatment period. Efficacy determination included non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts by the investigator and global evaluation of improvement. Cutaneous tolerance was assessed by determining erythema, scaling and burning with pruritus.

Both topical treatments improved facial acne. Adapalene gel had a greater reduction in lesion counts overall but this was not statistically significant. Adapalene gel was significantly better tolerated than isotretinoin gel during the whole treatment period. This study shows that topical adapalene gel and isotretinoin gel have equal efficacy in treating facial acne but that adapalene may have better tolerability.

Ioannides D, Katsambas A. Topical adapalene gel 0.1% vs. isotretinoin gel 0.05% in the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomized open-label clinical trial. Br J Dermatol 2002 Sep; 147(3):523-7.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group