A combination benzoyl peroxide an clindamycin topical gel compared with benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin phosphate, and vehicle in the treatment of acnevulgaris

A topical gel combining 5% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin as phosphate was evaluated in a 10-week randomized double-blind trial involving 287 pat ients with moderate to moderately severe acne. The combination agent demons trated significantly greater reductions in inflammatory lesions than either of its active constituents (5% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin) or veh icle when used alone. Significantly greater reductions in comedos and impro vements, as measured by both physicians' and patients' global evaluations, were obtained with the combination agent than with clindamycin or vehicle. The reduction;in comedos and the global improvements were similar between t he combination agent and benzoyl peroxide. The combination agent was well t olerated; the incidence of dry skin was similar lo that found with benzoyl peroxide, and other adverse events were similar to that with vehicle. The i mproved efficacy obtained with combination therapy was accompanied by a saf ety profile similar to that of either constituent used alone.