Comparison of the Efficacy of Clindamycin Phosphate 1% Gel Versus Once-daily Dapsone 5% Gel in the Treatment of Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a disease of the pilosebaceous unit that causes noninflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones), inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, and nodules), and varying degrees of scarring. The key pathogenic processes includes alteration of follicular keratinization that leads to comedones; increased and altered sebum production under androgen control; follicular colonization by Propionibacterium acnes; . The role of topical antibiotics in treating acne is well established. Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic which has been widely used in treatment of acne for many decades. The extensive use of antibiotics in acne has lead to the development of resistance to antimicrobial therapy. Dapsone is known to have antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory action which may help in reduction of acne.