Severe acne is commonly treated with a combination of oral antibiotics and topical medication. Since severe acne often recurs, treatment to maintain acne improvement is often needed. However, long-term antibiotic therapy is not recommended, due to increasing antibiotic resistance to certain bacteria. Now research reports that topical acne medications alone can help control severe acne.
In one study, researchers at the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, evaluated the effect of adapalene acne gel (Differin) in maintaining acne improvement. Patients with severe acne were treated with antibiotic alone or with adapalene plus an antibiotic. Following acne improvement, some patients were continued with adapalene treatment. The researchers found that the 75 percent of the patients who continued adapalene maintained their acne improvement, compared with 54 percent of the patients who didn't continue with adapalene.
"This study demonstrates a clinical benefit of continued treatment with adapalene gel, 0.1%, as a maintenance therapy for acne," the study authors conclude.
In another study, researchers at the Skin Study Center in Broomall, Pennsylvania, evaluated the effect of another acne gel called tazarotene (Avage or Tazorac) in maintaining acne improvement. Patients with severe acne were treated with tazarotene and an antibiotic for up to 3 months. Following acne improvement, patients were continued with tazarotene plus a placebo, a placebo gel plus antibiotic or tazarotene plus antibiotic. The researchers found that all three regimens were similarly effective in maintaining acne improvement.
"A high percentage of patients with moderately severe to severe acne can maintain improvement in their condition with topical retinoid monotherapy," the study authors write. "Maintenance with combination tazarotene and minocycline therapy showed a trend for greater efficacy but no statistical significance vs tazarotene alone. Topical retinoid monotherapy should be considered for maintenance to help minimize antibiotic exposure."
REFERENCES:
1. Thiboutot DM et al. Adapalene gel, 0.1%, as maintenance therapy for acne vulgaris: a randomized, controlled, investigator-blind follow-up of a recent combination study. Arch Dermatol 2006 May;142(5):597-602.
2. Leyden J et al. Comparison of tazarotene and minocycline maintenance therapies in acne vulgaris: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study. Arch Dermatol 2006 May;142(5):605-12.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 27, 2006 02:25 PM
