SPLIT-FACE COMPARISON OF ADAPALENE 0.1-PERCENT GEL AND TRETINOIN 0.025-PERCENT GEL IN ACNE PATIENTS

Background: Adapalene is a new naphthoic acid derivative developed for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Objective: We compared the sk in tolerance of adapalene 0.1% gel with tretinoin 0.025% gel in subjec ts with acne. Methods: Fifteen acne patient volunteers were enrolled i n this investigator-masked, left-right comparison, randomized, control led, intraindividual study. Adapalene 0.1% gel and tretinoin 0.025% ge l were applied once a day to one half-face by the volunteers for 14 co nsecutive days. Clinical signs (erythema, desquamation, papules, vesic les, edema) and subjective symptoms (tightness, pruritus, burning) wer e evaluated and scored daily except on weekends. Results: Adapalene 0. 1% gel was better tolerated than tretinoin 0.025% gel. The overall mea n score calculated from all features combined was significantly higher with tretinoin gel than with adapalene gel (p = 0.002). Conclusion: A dapalene 0.1% gel was significantly less irritating than tretinoin 0.0 25% gel when tested in acne patients.