Randomized, controlled, bilateral (split-face) comparison trial of the tolerability and patient preference of adapalene gel 0.1% and tretinoin microsphere gel 0.1% for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Poor patient compliance is one of the main reasons for treatment failure in acne. Our objective was to evaluate the tolerability and patient preference of adapalene gel 0.1% compared with tretinoin microsphere gel 0.1% using a randomized, controlled, investigator-masked, bilateral (split-face), 4-week comparative study of the 2 products when applied once daily in 40 patients. We found that adapalene produced less stinging/burning than tretinoin at weeks 1 and 4 and, overall, more patients felt more skin irritation on the side of the face treated with tretinoin than on the side treated with adapalene (P<.05). At week 4, a significantly greater number of patients preferred adapalene gel 0.1% to tretinoin microsphere gel 0.1% (72.5% vs 27.5%, respectively, P<.01).
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International Research Services, Inc, Rockland, Maine, USA.
Loesche
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MC
Baker
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D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068816:Adapalene; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000068816:Adapalene; D014212:Tretinoin