Efficacy of octenidine dihydrochloride and 2-phenoxyethanol in the topical treatment of inflammatory acne.
BACKGROUND
With the increase in antibiotic-resistant strains of microorganisms in acne lesions, the search for alternative treatment methods has become important. We studied the efficacy of a combination of the antiseptic substances octenidine dihydrochloride and 2-phenoxyethanol (O/P) in mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.


METHODS
Thirty patients were instructed to apply O/P once or twice daily for a 6-week treatment period. Determination of efficacy included the numerical documentation of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions within defined regions of the face by the investigator, and photodocumentation of the clinical picture as well as the fluorescence pattern under Wood's light.


RESULTS
Twenty-four patients completed the study. The number of papules and pustules decreased more than 50% in seventeen and nineteen patients, respectively. Acne lesions worsened in only one patient. Mild adverse reactions (erythema, burning, and scaling) were seen in two patients. Therefore, O/P was highly effective in treating inflammatory lesions of facial acne, but there was no essential efficacy in the non-inflammatory primary acne lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical O/P is a good and cost-effective alternative in the treatment of mild to moderate inflammatory acne lesions and may allow reduced application of anti-acne antibiotics to prevent development of resistance.
Department of Dermatology und Venereology, University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, A-8036 Graz, Austria. Sigrid.Mayr-Kanhaeuser@Klinikum-Graz.at
Sigrid
S
Mayr-Kanhäuser
Birger
B
Kränke
Werner
W
Aberer
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005026:Ethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007097:Imines; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005026:Ethylene Glycols; D007097:Imines; D011725:Pyridines; C005398:phenoxyethanol; C034213:octenidine