Efficacy and safety of clindamycin gel plus either benzoyl peroxide gel or adapalene gel in the treatment of acne: a randomized open-label study

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of clindamycin gel + benzoyl peroxide gel and clindamycin gel + adapalene gel in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. Methodology: A prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was carried out in patients with mild to moderate acne. Patients were randomized to receive once-daily topical treatment with clindamycin 1.0 % gel + benzoyl peroxide 2.5 % gel (group A; n = 15) or clindamycin 1.0 % gel + adapalene 0.1 % gel (group B; n = 15). Patients were followed up after 1 month of treatment and their change in acne status was analysed. Results: The mean age of patients was 20.9 ± 3.14 years, with twice as many males as females. At baseline, 47 % and 53 % of patients had grade 1 and 2 acne, respectively, with most (73 %) having acne with hyperpigmentation. Both treatment groups had a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in acne grade. Relative to their initial acne symptoms, 60 % of patients in group A were ‘better’, 33 % had ‘no change’ and 7 % had ‘worsened’. In group B, an improvement in acne symptoms was observed in all patients. The symptomatic improvements in group B appeared to be better than those in group A (p < 0.05). One patient in group A developed photosensitivity, which was probably related to treatment with benzoyl peroxide. Conclusion: Clindamycin + benzoyl peroxide gel and clindamycin + adapalene gel are both effective in the treatment of mild to moderate acne, with clindamycin + adapalene showing a significantly greater reduction in the overall acne grading in this small study. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.