Therapeutic studies with a new combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin topical gel in acne vulgaris

Three independent clinical studies were conducted in more than 1250 patient s with moderate to moderately severe acne vulgaris to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new combination gel that stably combines 5% benzoyl peroxi de and 1% clindamycin. me results indicated that the benzoyl peroxide/clind amycin combination product was an effective treatment for reducing the infl ammatory and noninflammatory lesions of acne vulgaris. In overall improveme nt as rated by the physicians and patients, the combination gel was superio r to clindamycin alone, and in 2 of the 3 studies, to benzoyl peroxide alon e. The antimicrobial activity of the combination gel was significantly teac h P<.01) superior to that seen with topical application of its individual c onstituents, 5% benzoyl peroxide or 1% clindamycin, and was numerically bet ter than that found with topical application of a 5% benzoyl peroxide/3% er ythromycin combination product. As with benzoyl peroxide, dry skin was the most frequent side effect with use of the combination gel, with isolated in cidences of other localized irritation. No other safety or tolerability con cerns were identified.