Randomised, controlled trial of the efficacy and safety of adapalene gel 0.1% and tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with acne vulgaris

Background. Previous clinical trials have shown that adapalene gel produces less irritation than tretinoin gels and tretinoin 0.025% cream. Short term results have shown that adapalene is less irritating than tretinoin gels and creams. This study is the first to compare the 0.1% formulation of adapalene gel with the 0.05% strength of tretinoin cream in a formal clinical trial. Objective. To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of adapalene gel 0.1% compared with tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Methods. Ten-week, multicentre, randomised, investigator-masked, active-controlled, parallel group study in 409 patients with acne vulgaris. Results. Adapalene gel 0.1% demonstrated equivalent efficacy in reduction of acne lesion counts and global improvement of acne severity over 10 weeks' treatment and was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin cream 0.05% in terms of erythema, dryness, desquamation and stinging/burning. Conclusion. Adapalene gel 0.1% showed equivalent efficacy and was significantly better tolerated than tretinoin cream 0.05% in patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris.