Study compares effects of clin-BPO 2.5% and clin-BPO 5% on epidermal functions

Dermatologists agree that topical fixed-combination products containing clindamycin (clin) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) are effective in the treatment of acne. However, products containing BPO concentrations at 5% or higher may limit use due to associated dryness and irritation in some patients.

A poster describing a new study of an optimized once-daily fixed combination of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and BPO 2.5% (clin-BPO 2.5%) was presented at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas and showed that the clin-BPO 2.5% formulation maintains skin hydration and does not damage the skin barrier.

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of clin-BPO 2.5% and clin-BPO 5% on epidermal functions and irritation. The single-center, randomized, controlled observer-blind study enrolled 22 subjects (4 male and 18 female, ages 21-77, mean 45.6 years) with healthy volar forearm skin. Test fields on the volar forearms were treated non-occlusively with 50 μl (50 mg) of once-daily clin-BPO 2.5% (Acanya^® Gel) and twice-daily clin-BPO 5% (BenzaClin^® Topical Gel) according to the dosage and administration sections of each product’s respective package insert and applied by study site personnel. All subjects received the same treatments during an 11-day treatment period. An additional untreated test field served as a control. Measurements assessing the skin barrier and skin hydration were performed.

The study demonstrated that once-daily clin-BPO 2.5% was superior in maintaining skin hydration than twice daily clin-BPO 5%. A statistically significant decrease in skin hydration was seen with clin-BPO 5% reflecting a drying effect. Clin-BPO 2.5% revealed no relevant irritant effect or significant negative influence on skin hydration and no evidence of epidermal barrier impairment.

In clinical studies in over 2800 acne patients, the optimized once-daily fixed combination of clindamycin phosphate 1.2% and BPO 2.5% (clin-BPO 2.5%) was shown effective in reducing inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions in patients with moderate to severe acne and had minimal local cutaneous side effects.