Topical Clindamycin Formulations for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

This study evaluated the effectiveness of topically applied clindamycin hydrochloride and clindamycin phosphate in two, nonprescription, antiacne hydroalcoholic products for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Two percent concentrations of these clindamycin compounds were compared with the hydroalcoholic products in patients with moderate to severe acne who were attending a private dermatology office practice during a three-month period. Statistical analysis revealed a significantly greater clinical effectiveness for the clindamycin formulations compared with the hydroalcoholic products after eight weeks. The effectiveness of clindamycin compared with the hydroalcoholic products was not significantly greater after four and 12 weeks. The following are the possible reasons for this nonsignificant difference: a placebo effect within the first month, relative ineffectiveness of one type of clindamycin formulation tested, and the impressive clinical effectiveness of the antiacne hydroalcoholic products when combined with a consistent cleansing program.