Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/benzoyl peroxide 3% fixed‐dose combination gel versus topical combination therapy of adapalene 0.1% gel and clindamycin phosphate 1.2% gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris in Japanese patients: A multicenter, randomized, investigator‐blind, parallel‐group study

Adapalene 0.1% (ADA) with clindamycin phosphate 1.2% (CLNP; ADA + CLNP) and the fixed‐dose combination containing CLNP and benzoyl peroxide 3% (CLNP/BPO 3%) are strongly recommended for the early treatment of acne vulgaris in Japan. Here, we compare the early efficacy and safety of CLNP/BPO 3% with Japanese standard topical use of ADA + CLNP in the treatment of acne vulgaris. In this phase IV, multicenter study, 351 patients were randomized to receive CLNP/BPO 3% or ADA + CLNP for 12 weeks. The primary end‐point was percentage change from baseline in total lesion (TL) counts at week 2. Secondary end‐points included the percentage change from baseline in TL, inflammatory and non‐inflammatory lesion (IL and non‐IL) counts, Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA), quality of life (QoL [Skindex‐16]) and patient preference. Local tolerability scores and adverse events were also recorded. CLNP/BPO 3% provided a significantly greater percentage reduction from baseline in TL compared with ADA + CLNP at week 2, and week 4. Compared with ADA + CLNP, CLNP/BPO 3% was superior at reducing IL (but not non‐IL) over weeks 2–12, was more effective at improving patient QoL and ISGA, and scored higher in patient‐preference assessments. Both treatments were well tolerated; adverse drug reactions occurred more frequently in patients receiving ADA + CLNP (37%) than in those receiving CLNP/BPO 3% (17%). In conclusion, CLNP/BPO 3% showed greater efficacy for the early treatment of acne vulgaris in Japan, with a more favorable safety profile compared with ADA + CLNP.