Single-blind and comparative clinical study of the efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide 4% gel (BID) and adapalene 0.1% Gel (QD) in the treatment of acne vulgaris for 11 weeks

objectives: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a gel containing benzoyl peroxide 4%, used twice daily, with a gel containing adapalene 0.1% used once daily, in the treatment of acne vulgaris for 11 weeks. methods: 178 patients bearing acne vulgaris, aged between 13 and 30 years, were studied in a comparative and single-blind clinical study. The 178 patients were divided into two groups: 89 patients treated with benzoyl peroxide 4% and 89 patients treated with adapalene 0.1%. The treatment duration was 11 weeks. The efficacy assessment was conducted through an accounting of both the inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in all visits. The safety assessment was conducted through reports regarding adverse reactions and local tolerance in all visits and an overall tolerance at the end of the study. conclusions: The results showed that both treatments were efficient in the reduction of acne lesions after 11 weeks treatment and were well tolerated, without any serious adverse event report. The benzoyl peroxide 4% was superior in the reduction of the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions at weeks 2 and 5, when compared to adapalene 0.1%.