Comparison of adapalene 0.1% solution and tretinoin 0.025% gel in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris.

Author(s): Ellis CN, Millikan LE, Smith EB, Chalker DM, Swinyer LJ, Katz IH, Berger RS, Mills OH Jr, Baker M, Verschoore M, Loesche C

Affiliation(s): Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA.

Publication date & source: 1998-10, Br J Dermatol., 139 Suppl 52:41-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

A multicentre study was conducted to compare clinical safety and efficacy of adapalene 0.1% solution and tretinoin 0.025% gel, both topical treatments for acne, in a once-daily dosage regimen for 12 weeks. A total of 297 patients were enrolled by eight investigators in this randomized, investigator-masked study in a parallel group design. An open label period using adapalene followed this study to assess the long-term safety of adapalene solution. Adapalene and tretinoin proved to be clinically and statistically effective in treating acne by reducing inflammatory (47% and 50%, respectively) and non-inflammatory lesions (57% and 54%) as compared to baseline. When comparing patients who had 75% or greater improvement in open comedones, adapalene was shown to be significantly more effective than tretinoin. No serious adverse event was reported during this study, including during the long-term period. The reactions that occurred were similar between treatments, i.e. burning, pruritus, scaling, dryness and erythema.