title: Topical antimicrobial treatment of acne vulgaris: an evidence-based review.
abstract: Topical antimicrobial treatment is indicated for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Our literature review includes searches of Ovid, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the databases of the Cochrane Library. A detailed search strategy is included. All searches were limited to controlled trials and systematic reviews. No year limits were applied to the searches, but we focused on trials, guidelines, and reviews published since 2004, the year that the last review of topical antimicrobials was published in this journal. Several controlled trials demonstrate that benzoyl peroxide, topical antibiotics, and topical retinoids used in combination provide the greatest efficacy and safety profile for the treatment of mild to moderate acne, but there are few trials directly comparing different combinations of these topical therapies with one another. Additionally, robust studies comparing cost and efficacy of generic combinations of the above agents with proprietary fixed-dose combination therapies that may increase compliance are also lacking. Although they have not been extensively studied, alternative agents including dapsone, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, and zinc are safe and efficacious when combined with traditional therapies.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gamble
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Annelise
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Small
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kindle
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dellavalle
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide