title: Maintenance therapy for acne vulgaris: efficacy of a 12-month treatment with adapalene-benzoyl peroxide after oral isotretinoin and a review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The correct therapeutic management of acne should include a maintenance therapy with topical retinoids to prevent recurrences after discontinuing a successful treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy of a 12-month maintenance treatment with adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5% fixed combination gel to control acne relapse after treatment with oral isotretinoin (OI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of 2 phases, namely an active treatment phase (AP) and a maintenance phase (MP). In the AP, 70 consecutive patients with moderate to severe acne were treated with OI until acne remission. Then, patients entered the MP and were treated with adapalene-BPO fixed combination once daily for 12 months. The primary efficacy parameter was the relapse rate during MP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-eight patients completed the study. Relapse occurred in 2 patients (2.94%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparing our findings with published data, the association of a topical retinoid and BPO seems to provide favorable evidence for this combination as maintenance therapy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bettoli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borghi
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zauli
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Toni
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giari
authors.forename: Annarosa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Virgili
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068816:Adapalene; D000284:Administration, Oral; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D000068816:Adapalene; D015474:Isotretinoin; D001585:Benzoyl Peroxide