Comparison of efficacy and safety of topical 1% nadifloxacin and tretinoin 0.025% combination therapy with 1% clindamycin and tretinoin 0.025% combination therapy in patients of mild-to-moderate acne

BACKGROUND: Topical retinoids in combination with antimicrobials have been proven to reduce acne lesions faster and to a greater degree than antimicrobial therapy alone . AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical combination of 1% Nadifloxacin [NAD] and 0.025% Tretinoin [Tr] with 1% Clindamycin [CLN] and 0.025% Tr in patients of mild to moderate acne vulgaris of the face. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were two groups (40 patients in each group): Group A received (NAD+Tr) combination therapy and group B received (CLN+Tr) combination therapy. Efficacy was assessed by any reduction in the mean number of inflammatory lesions(IL), non-inflammatory lesions(NIL) and/or total lesions(TL) as well as by using Evaluator's Global Severity Scale (EGSS) of acne and safety was assessed by adverse effects of study medications at 0, 6 and at 12 weeks follow-up. RESULTS: Both the study groups showed statistically significant intragroup reduction in NIL, IL and TL after 12 weeks of therapy. There was no statistically significant reduction at the end of 6 weeks of therapy in both the groups. At the end of 12 weeks of therapy there was a statistically significant reduction in IL, NIL and TL in group A. There was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of adverse effects in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Overall the study proved better efficacy of NAD+Tr compared to CLN+Tr. Medications of both the groups were safe and well tolerated.