Effectiveness and safety of minocycline 4% cream vs. clindamycin 1% cream in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris: A non-randomized clinical trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66344/jpad.v36i2.3324Keywords:
Topical minocycline, Acne vulgaris, Topical clindamycinAbstract
Background Acne vulgaris is a polyetiological disease, associated with significant physical and psychosocial morbidity. Despite the proven efficacy, long-term use of oral minocycline is limited by its potential systemic side effects. Recent developments reveal topical minocycline 4% formulations have been found to be effective in mild to moderate acne vulgaris with minimum side effects.
Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of minocycline 4% cream with clindamycin 1% cream in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
Methods In this non-randomized, prospective case-control clinical trial conducted at the Dermatology OPD, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore, a total of 62 patients aged 12-45 years with mild to moderate acne were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group A (n=31) was treated with clindamycin 1% cream and group B (n=31) with minocycline 4% cream for 12 weeks. The effectiveness was determined using the Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) and the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) at baseline and week 12. Safety was determined by monitoring any local side effect. Relapses were assessed after 24 weeks.
Results Both topical treatments were effective in terms of improvement GAAS/IGA scores (P<.001). However, a total lesion count (TLC) reduction of almost 88.5% has achieve for minocycline and 65.8% for clindamycin (P=.015). Therapeutic effects of minocycline were seen earlier. In group A, 6.5% of patients had erythema and 6.5% had burning whereas in group B, only 3.2% had burning. Both drug groups were generally well tolerated.
Conclusion Minocycline 4% cream may be an effective and alternative for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.
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