Combination topical therapy in the treatment of acne

Many medications are available for the management of acne. The armamentarium includes topical retinoids (ie, adapalene, tazarotene, tretinoin), antimicrobial and antibacterial agents (ie, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, sulfacetamide with or without sulfur), oral antibiotics (ie, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline), hormonal agents (ie, oral contraceptives, spironolactone), and systemic retinoids (ie, isotretinoin). Acne usually is treated with combination therapy to address its multifactorial pathophysiology. The combination of clindamycin 1%-benzoyl peroxide 5% gel, available as a stable formulation in a single tube, is efficacious and well-tolerated. The product's excipients, glycerin and dimethicone, minimize treatment-related irritation, thereby increasing patient compliance. Clindamycin-benzoyl peroxide may be well-tolerated when applied with topical retinoids, creating a more targeted and complete treatment strategy.