Efficacy and safety study of two zinc gluconate regimens in the treatment of inflammatory acne

This double-blind study was conducted on 67 patients with inflammatory acne who received one of two zinc gluconate regimens (Rubozinc) for three months. One was a constant-dose regimen and the other included an initial three-week loading dose, but both regimens provided the same cumulative dose at three months. The primary assessment criteria was the change with respect to baseline in the total number of superficial inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules). The two treatment groups were not statistically significantly different, with respect to this criteria, after three, five, seven or thirteen weeks of treatment. Therefore, the regimen that included a loading-dose provided no additional benefit. The results of this study are in favor of the conventional therapeutic regimen of two capsules daily for three months, as defined in the marketing authorization.