SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- March 25, 2003 -- A 0.1% formulation of tazarotene topical cream works better against comedonal acne than does adapalene 0.1% topical cream, according to a study.

In a multi-centre, double-blind trial led by A. Shalita from the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States, 173 patients with facial acne vulgaris were randomised to treatment with tazarotene 0.1% or adapalene 0.1% cream, which they applied to the face once daily every evening for 12 weeks. The findings were presented in a poster here on March 23^rd at the 61^st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Prior to entry in the study, participants, all of whom were at least 12 years of age, underwent a 30-day washout period for systemic medications and 14-day washout period for topical medications that they may have been taking for acne treatment. For oestrogens or birth control pills, the washout was 12 weeks, and for oral retinoids, the washout was 12 months.

Overall, 86% of participants completed the study. Six patients in the tazarotene group and three patients in the adapalene group discontinued therapy prematurely either because of lack of efficacy or adverse events.

By week 12, 77% of patients using tazarotene achieved a 50% or greater global improvement in their acne, compared with 55% of patients using adapalene (p≤0.001). Also, tazarotene therapy resulted, on average, in a 68% reduction in the number of open and closed comedones, compared with 36% for adapalene (p≤0.001). Patient ratings of acne were also superior among patients taking tazarotene versus adapalene. Differences in patients' baseline levels of inflammatory acne precluded meaningful comparison of these agents for feature, but both were effective at reducing inflammatory lesions.

The most common side effects, peeling, burning, itching, redness and dryness were relatively rare as well as mild and transient in both groups of patients.

Based on these results, the authors concluded that tazarotene 0.1% is more potent and works faster than adapalene 0.1% cream for the treatment of comedonal acne. Both agents are effective for the treatment of inflammatory lesions as well as safe and well tolerated.

This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from Allergan Skin Care, manufacturers of tazarotene.

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