A comparative evaluation of benzoyl peroxide & clindamycin versus tretinoin and clindamycin in cases of acne vulgaris

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic, self-limiting, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by pleomorphic lesions like comedones, erythromatous papules, pustules, cysts and nodules. The present study compared benzoyl peroxide & clindamycin versus tretinoin and clindamycin in cases of Acne vulgaris.Materials & Methods: 104 cases of Acne vulgaris were divided into 2 groups of 52 each. Group I patients were given benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel once daily at bedtime and clindamycin 1% gel once daily topically and group II patients were prescribed tretinoin 0.025% and clindamycin 1% gel once daily at bedtime topically.Results: There were 20 males and 32 females in group I and 18 males and 34 females in group II. The mean number of inflammatory lesions at baseline in group I was 12.4, in group II was 14, after 4 weeks was 4.7 and 7.2 in group I and II respectively, after 8 weeks was 1.2 and 3.4 in group I and II respectively and after 12 weeks was 0 and 2.1 in group I and group II respectively. The difference was significant (P