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% (CLNPBPO2.5) 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/TZgroup (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.