Topical use of clindamycin in combination with benzoyl peroxide is effective against Propionibacterium acnes

A randomized open-label study, published in the June issue of Cutis, found that topical use of a combination of clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide is more effective in acne than clindamycin as monotherapy. According to researcher, Dr. James J. Leyden of the University of Pennsylvania, combination therapy results in a faster and more significant reduction in the number of P.acnes.

During the study, the scientists compared the effects of three drugs: the combined anti-acne drug BenzaClin (gel containing 1% clindamycin and 5% benzoyl peroxide), a solution of clindamycin and an indifferent gel base without active substances. The therapy was carried out twice a day for two weeks. In just 24 hours of use, in 60 healthy volunteers who did not suffer from acne, but with a high level of facial expression P.acnes, the combined therapy reduced the number of bacteria of 90%. After two weeks of the study, this indicator was 99.9% (p less than 0.001). In the medical literature, no information on such a significant decrease in the number of P.acnes in just 24 hours of treatment has yet been encountered. Clindamycin monotherapy in two weeks reduced the number of bacteria by 77% compared to the initial level (p less than 0.05). In the placebo group, no change in bacterial carriage was noted.

Although the clinical significance of reducing the number of P.acnes when using the combination gel has not yet been confirmed by studies, such therapy may prevent the emergence of strains resistant to microorganisms.