Efficacy and safety of the combined drug (5% benzoyl peroxide + 1% clindamycin) in the treatment of acne: results of an open randomized comparative clinical study

Background. Acne is one of the most common dermatoses, the presence of which significantly reduces the quality of life of patients. For patients with inflammatory, comedonal acne use of fixed combinations is a first-line therapy. Aims: to study the efficacy and safety of the Zerkalin Intensive (ZI) in the treatment of acne in comparison with the Effezel (EF). Methods: an open comparative study included 60 patients with acne: group 1 (n=30) received therapy with ZI, group 2 (n=30) with EF 1 time a day in the evening. The effectiveness of therapy was evaluated 2 weeks, 1, 2 and 3 months. Results: after 1 month of therapy, there was a significant improvement in 9 (30%) patients of the group 1 and in 9 (30%) patients of the group 2 (p=1,000), improvement – in 12 (40%) and 18 (60%) patients (p=0.106). After 2 months of using ZI and EF, complete resolution of rashes was observed in 11 (36.7%) and 6 (20%) (p=0.395), significant improvement in 13 (43.3%) and 11 (36.7%) (p=0.628), improvement in 6 (20%) and 13 (43.3%), respectively. After 3 months complete resolution of rashes was observed in 24 (80%) patients of the group 1 and in 12 (40%) patients of the group 2 (p=0.088), significant improvement in 5 (16.7%) and 11 (36.6%) patients (p=0.236), improvement in 1 (3.3%) and 7 (23.3%) patients, respectively. Against the background of the use of EF, 20 (66.7%) patients showed the appearance of slight dry skin and redness. No side effects were detected when using the ZI. Conclusions. A comparable high efficiency of ZI and EF in acne therapy has been established. Use of ZI made it possible to achieve the onset of a full clinical effect and a significant improvement in the clinical picture in a larger number of patients and in a shorter time.