ACNE VULGARIS

Acne vulgaris is a highly prevalent inflammatory skin condition associated with substantial morbidity that affects people of all ages, but is most prevalent among teenagers. According to some estimates, 95% to 100% of teenage boys and up to 82% of teenage girls suffer some degree of acne. In total, acne may affect as many as 50 million people in the United States.

The pathophysiology of acne is multifactorial and involves a combination of increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, inflammation, and follicle colonization by Propionibacterium acnes. Treatment strategies and options are based on targeting different aspects of these pathophysiologic mechanisms. However, pathophysiologic mechanisms alone are an insufficient basis for selecting treatments. Encouraging patient acceptance of treatment—which may vary by patient age—is also an important consideration. The goals of treatment are to control the acne and to achieve a clear or almost clear status, especially on the patient's face.

Given these considerations, topical combination products that target multiple disease mechanisms (while minimizing the number of products and frequency of application) are of great appeal to clinicians and patients. A variety of products that combine topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide, are available and have demonstrated efficacy superior to that obtainable with either product alone. Acanya® (clindamycin phosphate and benzoyl peroxide) Gel 1.2%/2.5%, offers effective once daily treatment of acne with a favorable cutaneous profile.