title: Safety and efficacy of micronized tretinoin gel (0.05%) in treating adolescent acne.
abstract: Tretinoin is widely used in the treatment of acne. Despite significant advances in formulation development, irritation and dryness can be particularly bothersome, especially during the first 3-4 weeks, impacting adherence. Dose titration and adjunct use of moisturizers have been commonly employed. Co-prescribing with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) or a BPO/antibiotic combination is also common practice. The tretinoin molecule is unstable and can be degraded by BPO, further complicating treatment regimens. Lately, formulation technology has focused on providing more efficient penetration of the tretinoin into the skin layers so that lower concentrations of tretinoin might afford better tolerability, but maintain good efficacy; incorporating moisturizing excipients to minimize irritation; and providing greater stability to the tretinoin molecule. This approach would be particularly relevant in a pediatric acne population where efficacy/tolerability balance is important and treatment regimens must take into account lifestyles, but little data exist on the use of tretinoin in this patient population. A micronized formulation of tretinoin (0.05%) gel has been developed that provides a more efficient delivery of tretinoin, because of its optimal particle size, no degradation by BPO and better cutaneous tolerability than tretinoin microsphere (0.1%) gel without compromising efficacy in a pediatric population.
authors.affiliation: Trillium Creek Dermatology, 5783 Wooster Pike, Medina, OH 44256, USA. helentorok@aol.com
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Torok
authors.forename: Radhakrishan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pillai
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004355:Drug Stability; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010316:Particle Size; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005782:Gels; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide