Dose-ranging efficacy of new once-daily extended-release minocycline for acne vulgaris.

A multicenter, 12-week, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study was conducted in 233 subjects with moderate to severe facial acne vulgaris to determine the lowest effective once-daily oral dose of a new extended-release (ER) minocycline hydrochloride formulation with the safest adverse effect profile. Subjects randomly were assigned to treatment with daily dosages of ER-minocycline 1-, 2-, or 3-mg/kg tablets, or daily placebo tablets, for 84 days. At the end of the 12 weeks, the number of inflammatory lesions decreased approximately 50% from baseline levels in the dose groups. No dose-dependent effect was observed, with the percentage decrease in the number of inflammatory lesions in the 1-mg/kg treatment group being equal to or greater than higher doses. The pairwise difference between the ER-minocycline 1 mg/kg and placebo groups in the percentage decrease in inflammatory lesions was statistically significant (P = .015). Acute vestibular adverse events (AVAEs) appeared to be dose proportional, with the incidence being similar in the lowest (1 mg/kg) dosing group (24%) and in the placebo group (26%). Higher-dose regimens were associated with a higher incidence of central nervous system side effects and AVAEs. A 1-mg/kg daily dosage of the new ER-minocycline formulation is the lowest effective dose with the safest side effect profile, with higher-dose regimens offering no substantial therapeutic advantages.

Hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05%, fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%: a safe and efficacious 12-month treatment for melasma.

This article describes a long-term, multicenter, open-label, 12-month study of once-daily fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%, hydroquinone 4%, tretinoin 0.05% (Tri-Luma Cream, hereinafter called TC [triple combination]) application in the treatment of melasma. A total of 228 patients with facial melasma were enrolled and treated; 173 patients (76%) completed the study. Most patients had 1 to 2 courses of treatment lasting approximately 6 months in total. TC cream showed a favorable safety profile. only 3 patients (1%) withdrew from the study due to treatment-related adverse events (AEs). A total of 129 patients (57%) experienced at least one treatment-related AE. Most AEs were expected application-site reactions that were mild and transient in nature and did not require remedial therapy. There were no cases of skin atrophy or skin thinning and only 6 cases of telangiectasia (5 mild and 1 moderate), most of which had improved by the end of the study. Results of the efficacy assessments were positive, with both the patient and the physician assessing melasma to be either completely or nearly cleared by the end of the study in more than 90% of cases. In this study, a once-daily application of TC cream over an extended period of 12 months showed no notable safety concerns and offered an effective treatment for melasma.