Combined Therapy of Epiduo Gel and Doxycycline Provides Powerful Treatment for Acne

Each pore on the surface of the skin is an opening to a canal called a follicle. The follicle also contains a hair and an oil gland (sebaceous gland). The oil gland helps remove old skin cells, keeps the skin lubricated, and prevents drying of tissues.

According to two published studies, a combined therapy of common acne medications have shown to be a powerful and potent regiment in the treatment of sever facial acne.

Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits." These are spots that results from excess oil getting trapped in the skin pores which results in blockages, infection and build up of bacteria.

It is the most common skin disease. It affects 80% of teenagers and many adults, especially women, 35% being between the ages of 30 and 40. 80% of professional consultations with dermatologists is about acne. While it isn't a life threatening disease, acne can have profound psychological effects on patients, says study co-author and dermatologist Linda Stein Gold, M.D., director of Clinical Research of Dermatology at Henry Ford.

The studies found that a combined therapy of the topical Epiduo Gel containing adapalene and benzoyl peroxide and the antibiotic doxycycline proved more effective at reducing acne lesions compared to other treatment regimens.

Video: Acne

Epiduo Gel

Epiduo Gel is a topical medicine used for the treatment of acen vulagris (acne). It is a combination of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide.

These two ingredients are known for the treatment of acne. Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that lead to acne breakouts and helps prevent pimples from coming back.

Adapalene is a type of retinoid. The retinoids are a class of chemical compounds that are related chemically to vitamin A. Adapalene help unclogs blocked pores which stops pimples from forming under the skin's surface. It also decreases the redness, swelling and inflammation associated with pimples.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections which includes pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections, Malaria, Lyme disease, acne, infections of skin, genital, and urinary systems, and anthrax. It is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria.

This medicine is taken orally as a capsule, tablet, syrup or liquid suspension.

Combined therapy of acne medications offers new treatment option for patients

Of the 459 patients involved in the study, 76 percent of those who received the regimen of Epiduo Gel and doxycycline as initial therapy for 12 weeks, then Epiduo Gel as maintenance therapy for 24 weeks, showed the highest reduction in acne lesions and 50 percent said it cleared or nearly cleared their acne lesions.

Findings from the studies are published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology and Journal of Dermatological Treatment. Henry Ford was one of 34 participating sites in the United States and Canada, and the only hospital in Michigan.

"In adolescents and young adults, acne is associated with compelling psychosocial consequences, including depression and low self-esteem," Dr. Stein Gold says. "This combined therapy regimen gives patients who suffer from severe acne a new treatment option."

The findings are from the Acne Combination Evaluation Study in Severe Patients (ACCESS) I and II clinical studies. The double-blind studies evaluated the safety and effectiveness of combination therapy using the Epiduo Gel with doxycyline, a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics used to treat infections. Adapalene and benzoyl peroxide contained in the Epiduo Gel are common medications used to fight acne.

Researchers evaluated data from four regimens patients received during 36 weeks of treatment. They were:

Epiduo Gel and doxycyline, followed by Epiduo Gel.
Placebo and doxycyline, followed by Epiduo Gel.
Epiduo Gel and doxycyline, followed by placebo.
Placebo and doxycycline, followed by placebo.

Quantum Day

21 May 2012

Combined Therapy of Epiduo Gel and Doxycycline Provides Powerful Treatment for Acne