A Comparative Study of Efficacy of once Daily 0.1% Tazarotene and Adapalene Gel for the Treatment of Facial Acne Vulgaris

Background: Acne is a self-limiting chronic inflammatory disorder of pilosebaceous follicles seen among young adults with significant psychological and social impact. Tretinoin which was widely used for many years is being replaced gradually by newer generation agents like Tazarotene and Adapalene which unlike Tretinoin are specific for a subset of retinoic acid receptors. Objectives: To compare the efficacy of once daily topical 0.1% Tazarotene and Adapalene gel in the treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. Method: A total number of 60 patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris attending out-patient department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy from Oct.2004 – April. 2006 were studied. Patients were allocated alternately to group A and group B. Group A received 0.1% Tazarotene gel and group B patients received 0.1% Adapalene gel and were advised to apply topically once daily in the evening. Patients were followed up on 4th, 8th and 12th week. Results: At the 4thweek of post treatment evaluation, the non-inflammatory lesions (comedones) responded early to Tazarotene 0.1% gel than to Adapalene 0.1% gel. At the end of 12th week treatment period, Tazarotene 0.1% gel had an overall superiority to Adapalene 0.1% gel as an antiacne agent. Conclusion: The results of the study show that Tazarotene 0.1% gel is a better anticomedogenic agent with rapid rate of clinical improvement when compared with Adapalene 0.1% gel.