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Tazarotene Plus Clindamycin vs. Adapalene Plus Clindamycin in the Treatment of Facial Acne Vulgaris

Registration Number
NCT02721173
Lead Sponsor
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar
Brief Summary

The combination therapy of retinoid and clindamycin for acne is preferred because it targets multiple areas of acne pathogenesis that could not be accomplished with monotherapy, thereby improving outcome. Literature review reveals that till date there is no published comparative study assessing safety and efficacy of tazarotene plus clindamycin and adapalene plus clindamycin. So the present study has been designed to compare these two combination therapy in acne vulgaris.

Detailed Description

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common disorders treated by dermatologists. The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial. Critical components include abnormal follicular keratinocyte desquamation leading to the formation of a follicular plug (microcomedo), increase of sebum production in pilosebaceous unit, colonization by Propionibacterium acnes, and inflammation. Topical retinoids, which target comedogenesis and have anti-inflammatory activity, are recommended as first-line therapy for both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. The adjunctive use of anti-acne agents like clindamycin by its complementary mechanism of action can help to enhance the efficacy of topical retinoid therapy still further.

Tazarotene is a synthetic retinoid and a prodrug that is converted by the skin to its active form, tazarotenic acid. The active form binds to retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and regulates gene transcription and helps to normalize the abnormal keratinization in the follicular infundibulum, this in turn changes the microenvironment of the follicle and thereby reduce the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes. Adapalene is a synthetic naphthoic acid derivative with retinoid activity. Adapalene also acts through RARs and modulates cellular keratinization and inflammatory process. Clindamycin is bactericidal to Propionibacterium acnes. Due to the inhibition of P. acnes the free fatty acid levels in the pilosebaceous unit of skin is also reduced. Clindamycin phosphate applied topically penetrates to a very great extent to open comedones and thus produces a high percentage of sterile comedones.

The combination therapy of retinoid and clindamycin for acne is preferred because it targets multiple areas of acne pathogenesis that could not be accomplished with monotherapy, thereby improving outcome. Literature review reveals that till date there is no published comparative study assessing safety and efficacy of tazarotene plus clindamycin and adapalene plus clindamycin. So the present study has been designed to compare these two combination therapy in acne vulgaris.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • All patients with the diagnosis of facial acne vulgaris having comedones, papules, pustules (≤5), or nodules (≤2) or Investigator's static global assessment score ≤4
  • Treatment naïve patients or patients who had not taken topical anti-acne medications in last 14 days, systemic antibiotics in last 30 days, oral retinoids in last 12 months
Exclusion Criteria
  • Very severe acne vulgaris (Investigator's static global assessment score >4)
  • Any skin disorder that might interfere with the diagnosis or evaluation of acne vulgaris
  • Known hypersensitivity to retinoids and clindamycin
  • Any uncontrolled systemic disease or any cosmetic or surgical procedures complementary to the treatment of acne in the preceding 15 days
  • Patients who were on oral contraceptive pills in last 12 weeks
  • Pregnant and nursing women

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Adapalene groupAdapalene 0.1% gel plus clindamycin 1% gelThis group will receive adapalene 0.1% gel plus clindamycin 1% gel for 4 weeks.
Tazarotene groupTazarotene 0.1% gel plus clindamycin 1% gelThis group will receive tazarotene 0.1% gel plus clindamycin 1% gel for 4 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The number of facial acne lesionsChange from baseline over 4 weeks

Total number of facial acne lesions (inflammatory and non-inflammatory) will be counted

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Severity of acneChange from baseline over 4 weeks

Severity of acne will be assessed by Investigator's static global assessment (ISGA) score

Quality of lifeChange from baseline over 4 weeks

Quality of life will be assessed by Acne-specific quality of life questionnaire (Acne-QoL).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

AIIMS, Bhubaneswar

🇮🇳

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

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