Tolerability and irritation potential of four topical acne regimens in healthy subjects.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a cornerstone of acne therapy, often used in combination with a topical antibiotic and/or a retinoid. Three independent 2-week studies were conducted in healthy subjects to compare the tolerability and irritation potential of topical treatment with Duac® Gel (BPO 5%-clindamycin phosphate 1.2%) vs Acanya® Gel (BPO 2.5%-clindamycin phosphate 1.2%), Aczone® Gel (dapsone 5%), or Epiduo® Gel (BPO 2.5%-adapalene 0.1%). For each study, subjects were randomized to apply one of the comparative products on one side of the face; the contralateral side remained untreated. Primary (erythema and dryness) and secondary tolerability assessments were performed throughout the study. Independent blinded expert grader assessments of erythema found no significant overall difference between any of the comparative groups. Treatment with Epiduo Gel resulted in a significant increase in dryness and evaporative water loss values compared with Duac Gel. Overall, subject self-assessments were equally favorable across all study groups, although the Epiduo Gel group reported a higher frequency of adverse perceptions (ie mild burning/stinging). In conclusion, the four topical acne medications tested were well tolerated throughout the study period. Treatment with Epiduo Gel resulted in a significant increase in dryness, evaporative water loss, and sensations of burning and stinging. No other significant differences in self-assessment perceptions were observed between treatments.

A randomized, double-blind phase 4 study of the efficacy and safety of ethanol-free clobetasol propionate foam, 0.05%, vs vehicle foam in the treatment of chronic hand dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hand dermatitis may have a significant detrimental effect on daily home-related and work-related activities, and quality of life (QOL). Clobetasol propionate foam, 0.05%, is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory and pruritic manifestations of corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses in patients aged 12 years and older. OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate superior efficacy, similar safety, and superior QOL outcomes in subjects with moderate to severe chronic hand dermatitis following treatment with clobetasol propionate foam, 0.05%, compared with vehicle foam. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01323673), subjects aged 12 years and older with moderate to severe chronic hand dermatitis and an Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) score of 3 or 4 at baseline were randomized 1:1 to receive clobetasol propionate foam, 0.05%, or vehicle foam, twice daily over 15 days. The primary end point was the proportion of subjects who achieved treatment success, defined as improvement from baseline of ≥ 2 ISGA grades for the target hand at day 15. RESULTS: In total, 125 subjects were enrolled: 62 subjects were randomized to the clobetasol propionate foam group and 63 subjects were randomized to the vehicle foam group. The proportion of subjects with treatment success at day 15 did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 18% of subjects in the clobetasol propionate foam group and 8% of subjects in the vehicle foam group. No serious AEs, AEs resulting in discontinuation of study product, or severe AEs were reported in the clobetasol propionate foam group. CONCLUSIONS: Clobetasol propionate foam, 0.05%, was not significantly more efficacious than vehicle foam at improving chronic hand dermatitis on investigator-assessed end points. Emollient properties of the study product vehicle may be a confounder in the study.

Randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded studies conducted to compare the efficacy and tolerability of 3 over-the-counter acne regimens in subjects with mild or moderate acne.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common dermatologic disease that most frequently affects adolescents and young adults. Over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment regimens are increasingly being used by individuals with acne. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy, user satisfaction, and tolerability of the OTC regimens MaxClarity™, Proactiv®, and Murad® in the treatment of mild and moderate acne. METHODS: Two randomized, evaluator-blinded, split-face studies were conducted, each involving 20 subjects with acne, to evaluate MaxClarity against Proactiv (study 401) and MaxClarity against Murad (study 404) over 8 weeks. RESULTS: Clinically and statistically significant reductions in acne lesion counts were achieved at 8 weeks compared with baseline for each regimen using MaxClarity, Proactiv, and Murad. Similar reductions in lesion counts and improvements in Investigator's Static Global Assessment grades were observed between MaxClarity and either Proactiv or Murad, in the respective studies. MaxClarity was well tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events observed in any treatment group and no discontinuations due to adverse events. Overall, most subjects were satisfied with all study treatments. CONCLUSIONS: MaxClarity is an effective alternative to either Proactiv or Murad for use in the treatment of mild and moderate acne.

Evaluation of the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of an over-the-counter acne regimen containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid in subjects with acne.

Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a widely used over-the-counter (OTC) topical acne treatment often used in combination with salicylic acid (SA) to achieve better comedone control than that achieved with BPO alone. MaxClarity™ is an OTC acne treatment system comprising BPO and SA in an aqueous foam delivery vehicle, VersaFoam AF™. This paper describes 2 open-label, single-arm studies conducted to assess the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and patient preference of MaxClarity in the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe acne. Subjects applied MaxClarity twice daily for 8 weeks in study 402 and for 12 weeks in study 405. Reductions in all lesion types were seen throughout both studies. At week 8 (study 402), there was a mean reduction from baseline of -56.9 ± 32.7% in total lesions in subjects with mild, moderate, or severe acne. At week 12 (study 405), there was a reduction from baseline of -61.6 ± 22.0% in total lesions in subjects with moderate or severe acne. Overall, both studies demonstrated that MaxClarity is a generally well tolerated and effective treatment for mild, moderate, and severe acne.

Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%-benzoyl peroxide (5% or 2.5%) plus tazarotene cream 0.1% for the treatment of acne.

Acne is a multifactorial chronic dermatosis that can be effectively treated with adjuvant medications. The objective of our study was to compare the tolerability and efficacy of 2 adjuvant therapies combining clindamycin phosphate 1.2%-benzoyl peroxide 5% (CLNP-BPO5) or clindamycin phosphate 1.2%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (CLNP-BPO2.5) fixed-dose gels with tazarotene (TZ) cream 0.1% (CLNP-BPO5/TZ vs CLNP-BPO2.5/TZ) when applied topically once daily for 12 weeks in participants with moderate to severe facial acne. Forty participants were randomized to receive CLNP-BPO5/TZ or CLNP-BPO2.5/TZ in a parallel-group study and were evaluated at baseline as well as weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 (or at early termination). In both groups, tolerability assessments increased by week 1 but gradually returned toward baseline levels by week 12. At week 4, the mean change in burning/stinging was significantly higher in the CLNP-BPO5/TZ group compared with the CLNP-BPO2.5/TZ group (P<.05). No other significant differences were observed for the tolerability, efficacy, quality of life (QOL), or participant preference assessments. Our study shows that CLNP-BPO5 or CLNP-BPO2.5 fixed-dose gels in combination with TZ cream 0.1% are generally well-tolerated and effective treatments of moderate to severe facial acne when applied once daily for up to 12 weeks.

The Tolerability Profile of Clindamycin 1%/Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Gel vs. Adapalene 0.1%/Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% Gel for Facial Acne: Results of Two Randomized, Single-Blind, Split-Face Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the first two weeks of tolerability of clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel versus adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel followed by six weeks of open-label clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel therapy in subjects with mild-to-moderate acne who participated in two eight-week, identically designed, clinical studies. METHODS: Using a split-face method, patients received both clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel once daily for two weeks (allocation to the right or left side of the face was randomized) in an investigator-blinded fashion. Patients then went on to receive a further six weeks of open-label, full-face clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel. The primary outcome was to compare signs and symptoms of tolerability during the first two weeks of treatment using an investigator-assessed 4-point rating scale. Secondary endpoints included assessment of acne severity (Investigator Static Global Assessment and lesion counts), quality of life, product acceptability/preference, and patient assessments of tolerability and safety. RESULTS: Of the 76 subjects enrolled in the two studies, 72 completed them. Overall both products were well tolerated, but mean scores for erythema, dryness, and peeling were significantly higher with adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel than with clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel at both Weeks 1 and 2 (p<0.03). Patients also rated clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel significantly more tolerable than adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel for redness, dryness, burning, itching, and scaling at Weeks 1 and 2 (p 0.0073). Mean Investigator Static Global Assessment score improved with both products during the first two weeks of treatment and continued to show significant improvement versus baseline when treatment with clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel was continued for a further six weeks (p<0.001 at Week 8). Lesion counts improved throughout the study with significant reductions from baseline occurring at Weeks 5 and 8 (p<0.0001 for both time points for total lesion counts). Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel were well tolerated, with most adverse events of mild-to-moderate severity. CONCLUSION: Clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel had better tolerability with regard to erythema, dryness, and peeling than adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel during the first two weeks of treatment.