Topical clindamycin in acne vulgaris. Safety and stability.

Eighteen patients with acne vulgaris used a hydroalcoholic solution of clindamycin hydrochloride topically. Serum samples were obtained and assayed for clindamycin; no evidence for systemic absorption was found. The clindamycin capsules used in this preparation contained insoluble fillers that may be removed by filtration without loss of in vitro antibacterial activity. This solution is stable for at least six months.     

Topical clindamycin in acne: a preliminary study.

A solution of clindamycin in 50 percent alcohol used topically in the treatment of acne was found to be an adequate therapy to replace systemic tetracycline. Patients followed over a two to three month period showed improvement in lesion counts and subjective improvement as evaluated by the investigator and patient.     

Topical 4% nicotinamide vs. 1% clindamycin in moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris

Nicotinamide and clindamycin gels are two popular topical medications for acne vulgaris. This study aimed to compare efficacy of the topical 4% nicotinamide and 1% clindamycin gels in these patients. In this randomized, double‐blind clinical trial, patients with moderate inflammatory facial acne vulgaris were randomly allocated to receive either topical 4% nicotinamide (n = 40) or 1% clindamycin gels (n = 40) twice daily. In each group, they were further categorized in two subgroups with oily and non‐oily types of facial skin. The Cook's acne grade was determined at baseline and at weeks 4 and 8 post treatment. Acne grade decreased from an average of 5.93 ± 0.83 at baseline to 4.03 ± 1.33 at week 4 and 2.08 ± 1.59 at week 8 in nicotinamide receivers, and from an average of 5.70 ± 0.94 at baseline to 3.85 ± 1.66 at week 4 and 2.03 ± 1.53 at week 8 in the clindamycin group (within‐group P < 0.001, between‐group P > 0.05). Comparing with each other, nicotinamide and clindamycin gels were significantly more efficacious in oily and non‐oily skin types, respectively. No major side effect was encountered by any patient. Skin type is a significant factor in choosing between topical nicotinamide and clindamycin in patients with acne vulgaris.     

Topical ALA-photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Topical aminolevulinic acid is converted into a potent photosensitizer, protoporphyrin, in human hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Photodynamic therapy with topical aminolevulinic acid was tested for the treatment of acne vulgaris, in an open-label prospective human study. Each of 22 subjects with acne on the back was treated in four sites with aminolevulinic acid plus red light, aminolevulinic acid alone, light alone, and untreated control. Half of the subjects were treated once; half were treated four times. Twenty percent topical aminolevulinic acid was applied with 3 h occlusion, and 150 J per cm2 broad-band light (550-700 nm) was given. Sebum excretion rate and auto-fluorescence from follicular bacteria were measured before, and 2, 3, 10, and 20 wk after, treatment. Histologic changes and protoporphyrin synthesis in pilosebaceous units were observed from skin biopsies. Aminolevulinic acid plus red light caused a transient acne-like folliculitis. Sebum excretion was eliminated for several weeks, and decreased for 20 wk after photodynamic therapy; multiple treatments caused greater suppression of sebum. Bacterial porphyrin fluorescence was also suppressed by photodynamic therapy. On histology, sebaceous glands showed acute damage and were smaller 20 wk after photodynamic therapy. There was clinical and statistically significant clearance of inflammatory acne by aminolevulinic acid plus red light, for at least 20 wk after multiple treatments and 10 wk after a single treatment. Transient hyperpigmentation, superficial exfoliation, and crusting were observed, which cleared without scarring. Topical aminolevulinic acid plus red light is an effective treatment of acne vulgaris, associated with significant side-effects. Aminolevulinic acid plus red light causes phototoxicity to sebaceous follicles, prolonged suppression of sebaceous gland function, and apparent decrease in follicular bacteria after photodynamic therapy. Potentially, aminolevulinic acid plus red light may be useful for some patients with acne.     

Topical erythromycin for acne vulgaris

The clinical response of topical erythromycin (1%) in a new penetrative vehicle was evaluated in a double-blind investigation on 28 patients with severe and moderate acne vulgaris. The verum preparation was superior to the placebo in 21 of the patients, while in 4 the reverse was true and in 3 no differences were seen. It is thus obvious that topical erythromycin in the penetrative vehicle is a potent agent for acne treatment. The risk for development of resistant Propionibacterium acnes strains must, however, be considered in topical as well as in systemic antibiotic therapy of acne vulgaris.     

Topical aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is useful for the treatment of epidermal neoplasia but may also have use in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PDT in the treatment of acne on the face. METHODS: Eight patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris on the face were treated with one session of topical aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-PDT using a red light. Each patient's face was divided into two areas (right side and left side) for ALA-PDT and untreated control. Twenty percent topical ALA was applied with 4 h occlusion, and 18 J/cm(2) red light (630+/-63 nm) was administered. Each patient's acne was visually assessed by a spot count of both inflamed and non-inflamed lesions at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months following PDT. RESULTS: At 1, 3, and 6 months, the mean percentage reduction in inflamed lesions count was 27.6%, 37.9%, and 41.9%, respectively, in the ALA-PDT-treated area, whereas in the control area, it was 8.0%, 14.7%, and 15.4%, respectively, compared with the baseline. This showed a higher reduction of a spot count of inflamed lesions in the ALA-PDT-treated area, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a slightly higher reduction of a spot count of non-inflamed lesions in the ALA-PDT-treated area, which was statistically not significant (P>0.05). The adverse effects were minimal. CONCLUSION: ALA-PDT with red light was found to be effective in the reduction of the number of inflamed lesions in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris, with no significant short-term adverse effects.     

5-氨基酮戊酸光动力疗法治疗寻常痤疮临床应用研究

目的 探索5-氨基酮戊酸光动力疗法(ALA-PDT)治疗寻常痤疮的ALA最适浓度和最佳敷药时间.方法 将30例中、重度寻常痤疮患者随机分为两组,第一组15例,给以10%ALA乳膏外敷,分别在不同时间点(1、2、3、4、5 h)和不同皮损进行原卟啉Ⅸ(PpⅨ)荧光光动力诊断和皮损组织PpⅨ荧光采集与定量分析;第二组15例,在每例患者的右侧面颊、左侧面颊、前额的痤疮皮损上分别给以3%、5%、10%ALA乳膏外敷3 h后进行PpⅨ荧光光动力诊断和荧光定量研究;同时对该组患者不同部位采用不同浓度ALA-PDT的疗效和不良反应进行临床研究.结果 第一组痤疮患者经10%ALA乳膏外敷,暗室环境下采用激发光源照射皮损后发现,炎性丘疹、脓疱和囊肿均显示PpⅨ强砖红色荧光;粉刺、炎性丘疹、脓疱和囊肿的PpⅨ荧光强度分别为1.3、4.3,5.1和5.8校准单位,PpⅨ荧光强度随着皮损严重程度的增加而增强;同时,随着外敷时间的延长,PpⅨ荧光强度逐渐增强,敷药3 h,4 h、5 h时PpⅨ荧光强度明显高于1 h和2 h(P<0.05).第二组患者不同部位采用3%、5%、10%ALA封包3 h,其相同皮损内PpⅨ荧光强度差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);分别以3%、5%、10%ALA乳膏外涂于15例患者右侧面颊、左侧面颊、前额部位,经过两次ALA-PDT治疗后,痊愈5例、显效6例,总有效率为73%;每例患者的不同部位皮损之间,疗效改善情况无明显差异.副作用表现为轻至中度的红斑、肿胀,严重时少许渗出,仅2例出现暂时性色素沉着,所有病例均未出现溃疡和瘢痕等严重不良反应.结论 ALA-PDT适用于以炎性丘疹、脓疱和囊肿为主要表现的寻常痤疮治疗,宜采用3%ALA浓度和3 h敷药时间.     

Topical clindamycin phosphate compared with oral tetracycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris

Sixty patients (aged 12–30 years) were enrolled in a 12-week, double-blind, randomized study to compare the efficacy of clindamycin phosphate 1% topical solution with oral tetracycline for the treatment of moderate acne. Forty-four patients (22 in each group) were evaluable. All patients experienced significant reductions in numbers of pustules, papules and inflamed nodules, and there were no significant differences between the two groups. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated, and no systemic side-effects were reported. Topical clindamycin phosphate 1% is considered a safe and effective alternative to oral tetracycline for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris.     

A comparative study of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin phosphate for treating acne vulgaris

A water based 5% benzoyl peroxide gel (Benzac W5) was compared with topical 1% clindamycin phosphate solution (Cleocin T) in the treatment of acne vulgaris using a randomized, investigator blind study design. Lesion counts were significantly reduced in both treatment groups over the 12-week study period; however, the reduction of total lesions produced by benzoyl peroxide gel was significantly greater than that produced by clindamycin phosphate (P less than 0.05). Clindamycin phosphate had a milder effect on the skin surface in terms of peeling and drying than the benzoyl peroxide gel.     

Topical tazarotene therapy for psoriasis,acne vulgaris,and photoaging

Psoriasis, acne vulgaris and photoaging are common conditions. Tazarotene is a pro-drug of tazarotenic acid, a receptor-selective retinoid, which has shown efficacy in the treatment of these disorders. In the treatment of acne vulgaris, it has greater comedolytic activity than the currently available topical retinoids. In psoriasis, tazarotene normalizes keratinocyte differentiation, reverses keratinocyte hyperproliferation and has better anti-inflammatory effects than any of the currently available topical retinoids. It is most commonly used as combination therapy with a topical corticosteroid or phototherapy in psoriasis, or with an antibiotic in acne.     

Topical dermocosmetics and acne vulgaris

Acne is a highly common skin disease especially among teenagers. Modern acne treatments are based also on the use of moisturizers, cleansers and sunscreens. In choosing the right cleanser, it is important to consider some aspects: the interaction between skin type and the cleanser, the optimal time and method of cleaning and the cosmetic perception of the patient. The aim of our review is to highlight the importance of choosing the most suitable topical dermocosmetics for the different skin types, as well as the most effective timing and method to combine dermocosmetics with the standard acne treatment. A search in literature for selected key words was performed using PubMed. Additional papers were identified based on author expertise. Treatment of acne patients should include education for proper daily skin hygiene, including protection from environmental damage. However, given the low number of clinical studies on cleansers, it is difficult to make reliable recommendations. The correct choice and use of topical dermocosmetics are fundamental in the management of acne patients. Daily use of moisturizers, cleansers and sunscreens can reduce both inflammatory and non‐inflammatory acne lesion counts and may be helpful for acne treatment if combined with specific drugs.     

The facial mask as a basis of clindamycin therapy for acne vulgaris]

In 29 healthy male subjects aged between 20 to 25 years a powder face mask, consisting of 1.19% clindamycin phosphate (= 1% clindamycin base) in 70% ethanol was applied to the right side of the forehead once daily over a period of 5 days. At the same time half of the test subjects were treated in the same way on the left side of the forehead with a solution consisting of 1.19% clindamycin phosphate in 70% ethanol, and the other half with the same powder mask as on the right side but without clindamycin phosphate. The face mask containing clindamycin phosphate leads to a greater reduction of P. acnes. the total propionibacteria and the total bacterial counts (anaerobic culture) in the pilosebaceous duct than both other preparations. Compared with the initial values these do, however, reduce the bacterial count. The use of face masks containing antibiotics seems to offer a successful way of topical antibiotic treatment of acne.     

Topical aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a study of clinical efficacy and mechanism of action

BACKGROUND: Acne affects 83-95% of 16-year-olds of both sexes, and many seek help from a clinician. Emerging problems with conventional acne treatments, specifically antibiotic resistance of Propionibacterium acnes and fears over the safety and tolerance of oral isotretinoin, create a demand for novel treatment modalities in acne. OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of aminolaevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) in the treatment of acne and to identify the mode of action, looking specifically at the effects on surface numbers of P. acnes and on sebum excretion. METHODS: Ten patients (nine men and one woman, age range 16-40 years) with mild to moderate acne on their backs were recruited. Each patient's back was marked with four 30-cm2 areas of equal acne severity. Each site was then randomly allocated to either ALA-PDT treatment, light alone, ALA alone or an untreated control site. At baseline, numbers of inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions were counted, sebum excretion measured by Sebutapes (CuDerm, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.) and surface P. acnes swabs performed. ALA cream (20% in Unguentum Merck) was applied under occlusion to the ALA-PDT and ALA alone sites for 3 h. Red light from a diode laser was then delivered to the ALA-PDT and light alone sites (635 nm, 25 mW cm(-2), 15 J cm(-2)). Each patient was treated weekly for 3 weeks. At each visit acne lesion counts were performed and 3 weeks following the last treatment sebum excretion rates and P. acnes swabs were repeated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant reduction in inflammatory acne lesion counts from baseline after the second treatment at the ALA-PDT site but not at any of the other sites. No statistically significant reduction in P. acnes numbers or sebum excretion was demonstrated at any sites including the ALA-PDT site. CONCLUSIONS: ALA-PDT is capable of clinically improving acne. An alternative mode of action for ALA-PDT other than direct damage to sebaceous glands or photodynamic killing of P. acnes is suggested from the results of this study.     

The safety of long-term clindamycin therapy for acne.

Sixty patients with severe pustular and cystic acne were treated for prolonged periods with clindamycin (150 mg to 300 mg daily). The average duration of therapy was five months, with 18 patients being treated for more than six months. Only two (3.4%) patients developed mild diarrhea, which was rapidly reversible on discontinuance of the drug. No other adverse reactions were observed. These data suggest that long-term, low-dose clindamycin therapy may be safe for severe pustular of cystic acne.     

Potential hazards of clindamycin in acne therapy.

In the course of the last two years, a tremendous amount of controversy has been raised over dangers accompanying the use of the antibiotic clindamycin. The controversy has been stimulated by recent reports of fatalities from pseudomembraneous colitis associated with clindamycin therapy. Varying greatly in degree of severity, the colitis has been reported in as high as 10% of all patients using the drug. The pertinence of such data, however, in a young, healthy acne population receiving small maintenance doses is questionable. Nevertheless, because of these reports, the use of clindamycin in the treatment of many of the conditions for which it was previously considered indicated, including acne, is being seriously reevaluated.