A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF CLINDAMYCIN WITH TRETINOIN VERSUS CLINDAMYCIN WITH NICOTINAMIDE IN MILD TO MODERATE ACNE VULGARIS

Introduction: Acne is characterized by non-inflammatory follicular papules or comedones and by inflammatory papules, pustules and nodules and is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population. Topical combination therapy is the first-line approach for facial acne. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical clindamycin 1% with tretinoin 0.025% and clindamycin 1% with nicotinamide 4% in mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Methods: This was a comparative study conducted at BMCRI including seventy subjects who were randomized (1:1) into two groups. Group A received clindamycin with Tretinoin and Group B received clindamycin with nicotinamide. Efficacy was assessed by mean change in Acne Severity Index (ASI) from baseline and at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Safety was assessed by adverse events reported. Results: Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement. Baseline ASI of Group A was 86.48 ± 4.49 and of Group B was 88.05 ± 4.02, which were comparable. At end of 12 weeks, ASI of Group A and Group B was reduced to 25.65± 2.4 and 14.17 ± 2.7 respectively. Group B showed statistically significant reduction in ASI than Group A (p<0.0001). Both treatments were well tolerated. Conclusion: Both the combination therapies are effective in mild to moderate acne vulgaris however clindamycin with nicotinamide showed favourable efficacy.