Dapsone gel 5% in combination with adapalene gel 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide gel 4% or moisturizer for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dapsone gel 5% in the treatment of acne when used in combination with adapalene gel 0.1%, benzoyl peroxide gel 4% or moisturizer.


METHODS
This was a twelve-week, randomized, double-blind study. Patients aged 12 years and older (n=301) applied dapsone gel twice daily and were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three additional treatments, applied once daily.


RESULTS
By week 12, dapsone gel combined with any of the three additional treatments reduced the mean number of inflammatory lesions. However, the authors did not detect a significant difference in the reduction of inflammatory lesions when dapsone was used in combination with adapalene gel or with benzoyl peroxide gel compared to the dapsone plus moisturizer combination group (P=0.052 for both versus moisturizer combination). Patients treated with dapsone gel combined with adapalene showed a significantly better response in reduction in non-inflammatory and total acne lesion count than those who received the moisturizer combination. Local adverse reactions in all three treatment groups were minimal and generally mild in severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Dapsone gel in combination with adapalene gel or benzoyl peroxide gel is safe and well tolerated for the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Fleischer
Alan B
AB
Wake Forest University School of Medicine Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. afleisch@wfubmc.edu
Shalita
Alan
A
Eichenfield
Lawrence F
LF
Abramovits
William
W
Lucky
Anne
A
Garrett
Steven
S
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000068816:Adapalene; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003622:Dapsone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005782:Gels; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000068816:Adapalene; D003622:Dapsone; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide