For years there has been an unmet need for topical therapeutics for acne to increase patient adherence and reduce tolerability issues related to treatment. Recent advancements in formulation technologies have allowed for combination products with improved tolerability profiles that have led to synergism in efficacy while improving patient adherence.3 These advancements are discussed next.
Advancements in Topical Formulations for Acne Therapeutics
Optimizing topical delivery of drugs for skin disease is critical for both efficacy and tolerability. The evolution of vehicle technology has allowed for greater tolerability and the development of fixed-dose combinations that lend to improved treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction while reducing overall treatment costs. These technologies have also allowed for the coadministration of previously incompatible active agents that required separate applications such as BPO and tretinoin.12
Polymer technologies utilize microspheres which are tiny biodegradable polymer-based spheres containing active drugs throughout their cores.13,14 They allow for controlled drug release without increasing transdermal penetration once the microspheres are degraded upon application on the skin thereby minimizing irritation.14 Liposomal delivery systems enhance the transcutaneous delivery of active drugs as liposomes are spherical amphiphilic vesicles - hydrophilic on one side and lipophilic on the other. As such, they can encase both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and improve their therapeutic potential.15 Microencapsulation is an additional novel technology that allows for the combination of BPO and retinoids. Microencapsulation is the process of entrapping micrometer-sized particles in an inert shell that isolates those particles from the surrounding environment.16 Silica microencapsulation technology allows for the combination of active drugs via separate encapsulation of individual drugs and further provides controlled release.
Polymer technologies utilize microspheres which are tiny biodegradable polymer-based spheres containing active drugs throughout their cores.13,14 They allow for controlled drug release without increasing transdermal penetration once the microspheres are degraded upon application on the skin thereby minimizing irritation.14 Liposomal delivery systems enhance the transcutaneous delivery of active drugs as liposomes are spherical amphiphilic vesicles - hydrophilic on one side and lipophilic on the other. As such, they can encase both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and improve their therapeutic potential.15 Microencapsulation is an additional novel technology that allows for the combination of BPO and retinoids. Microencapsulation is the process of entrapping micrometer-sized particles in an inert shell that isolates those particles from the surrounding environment.16 Silica microencapsulation technology allows for the combination of active drugs via separate encapsulation of individual drugs and further provides controlled release.
