The Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Adapalene Versus Benzoyl Peroxide in the Treatment of Mild Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Trial

July 2013 | Volume 12 | Issue 7 | Original Article | 790 | Copyright © July 2013


S.H. Babaeinejad MD and R.F. Fouladi MD

Department of Dermatology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Sina Hospital, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract
Topical treatments, such as adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (BPO), are popular in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety and tolerability of adapalene and BPO in mild acne vulgaris. In this single-center, randomized, double-blind, clinical trial, 60 patients with mild acne vulgaris received either topical adapalene 0.1% gel or topical BPO 2.5% gel on their face once daily for two months. The changes of acne lesion count (efficacy), any adverse effect (safety), and the patients’ overall satisfaction (tolerability) were compared after 3 months of follow-up. In both groups the mean number of noninflammatory, inflammatory and total lesions decreased significantly from baseline (10.77±5.54, 9.73±5.09, and 20.50±7.54, respectively in adapalene group; 11.50±5.92, 8.43±5.45, and 19.93±9.01, respectively in BPO group) to the third month (1.70±1.68, 0.33±0.66, and 0.50±0.78, respectively in adapalene group; 4.23±4.14, 0.33±0.71, and 4.13±4.44, respectively in BPO group; P<0.001 for all), posttreatment. Although the mean number of inflammatory lesions was significantly lower in BPO receivers only at first month (P =0.001), the mean number of noninflammatory and total lesions was significantly lower in adapalene group at second (P = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively) and third (P =0.02 and <0.001, respectively) months, posttreatment. The adverse events were minimal and self-limited (26.7% in adapalene group, 20% in BPO group, p=0.54). The patients’ overall satisfaction was good to excellent in 93.3% of adapalene receivers vs. 73.3% in BPO group (P=0.08). Both topical adapalene 0.1% and BPO 2.5% gels seem safe and effective in mild acne vulgaris, with a marginal tendency toward the former.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(7):790-794.

INTRODUCTION

Adapalene is a synthetic naphthoic acid derivative, light stable, third generation retinoid with slightly better efficacy, lower incidence of side effects, and better tolerability profile in comparison with other topical retinoids that places it clinically above the rest in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Like other topical retinoids, adapalene reverses the abnormal follicular desquamation and also have anti-inflammatory effects.1-4 A strong anti-comedonal effect of topical retinoids has been shown in animal experiments. Clinical trials have also revealed that they act efficaciously against microcomedo, the natural precursor of comedones.5,6
Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is another safe and effective topical agent for treating acne vulgaris. This medication has both anticomedogenic and antimicrobial properties, with no fear of antibiotic resistance.7,8 Its primary limitations are concentration-dependent cutaneous irritation and dryness in certain patients, which are amenable to be prevented thorough using lower but still effective doses.9
It is previously claimed that the efficacy of adapalene on noninflammatory and inflammatory lesions is comparable to the efficacy of BPO in cases with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.10-15
Based on the most recent guidelines, topical retinoids and BPO could be used alone or in combinations with anti-microbial agents in mild to moderate, inflammatory or non-inflammatory acne vulgaris.16
However, no high strength recommendation has been given in the cases with mild acne vulgaris because of the general lack of direct evidence for the treatment of this type of the disease.17
Furthermore, initial use of topical BPO than topical retinoids has been advocated on the grounds of cost and on a longer track record of efficacy and safety by some researches.18
The present clinical trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety profile of topical adapalene 0.1% and BPO 2.5% gels in patients with mild acne vulgaris.

METHODS

In this single-center, randomized, double-blind, parallel, clinical trial, 60 patients with mild acne vulgaris (Evaluator Global Severity Score, EGSS, of 2) were recruited from a teaching clinic of dermatology from January 2011 through April 2012.
Patients with severe acne or other dermatologic conditions requiring systemic therapy, as well as nursing/pregnant women, and those who were planning for pregnancy were not included.
A ‘washout’ period of at least 2 weeks of topical antibiotics and corticosteroid, 1 month of oral antibiotics and corticosteroid, and 6 months of oral retinoid agent prior to the start of treatment was required. No other treatment was allowed during the study period.
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