Randomised, controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.1% and tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with acne vulgaris.
BACKGROUND
Previous clinical trials have shown that adapalene gel produces less irritation than tretinoin gels and tretinoin 0.025% cream. Short term results have shown that adapalene is less irritating than tretinoin gels and creams. This study is the first to compare the 0.1% formulation of adapalene gel with the 0.05% strength of tretinoin cream in a formal clinical trial.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene gel 0.1% compared with tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.


METHODS
Ten-week, multicentre, randomised, investigator-masked, active-controlled, parallel group study in 409 patients with acne vulgaris.


RESULTS
Adapalene gel 0.1% demonstrated equivalent efficacy in reduction of acne lesion counts and global improvement of acne severity over 10 weeks' treatment and was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin cream 0.05% in terms of erythema, dryness, desquamation and stinging/burning.


CONCLUSIONS
Adapalene gel 0.1% showed equivalent efficacy and was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.
Cunliffe
William J
WJ
Departement of Dermatology, General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.
Danby
F William
FW
Dunlap
Frank
F
Gold
Michael H
MH
Gratton
David
D
Greenspan
Alan
A
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068816:Adapalene; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009824:Ointments; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D009824:Ointments; D000068816:Adapalene; D014212:Tretinoin