New Combination Acne Treatment Safe and Effective

A phase 4 multicenter trial combiningadapalene gel 0.1% (Differin) witheither topical or oral antibiotics provedsafe and effective for the treatment ofmoderate-to-moderately severe acne.These results, presented at the annualmeeting of the American Academy ofDermatology in San Francisco, Calif,were based on findings of a 12-weekstudy involving 1979 patients and morethan 400 dermatologists. When thedoctors prescribed Differin in combinationwith other products, such as benzalkoniumchloride or other retinoids,the results were "reliable improvementswith excellent tolerability andpatient satisfaction," according to JohnE. Wolf Jr, MD, of the Baylor College ofMedicine in Houston, Tex. Differinworks by normalizing the overaccumulationof skin cells that clog pores,allowing pores to function normally.The gel also heals acne that is alreadypresent by affecting the cellular growthand decreasing swelling. Dr.Wolf notedthat Differin's safety and tolerabilitymake it excellent as either a first-lineor an add-on therapy.

Ms. Farley is a freelance medicalwriter based in Wakefield, RI.