Clinical experience of using metronidazole as an external therapy of acne

Abstract

Metrogyl gel for external use (metronidazole 1%) has an antioxidant activity and substantially reduces the production of active oxygen compounds by neutrophilic leukocytes in the skin. A combination therapy of light to moderate acne with the use of external retinoids and metronidazole can be more efficient than a monotherapy with the use of these drugs alone. Goal. To assess the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of Metrogyl gel for external use in a combination with Klenzit gel (adapalene 0.1%) for treatment of patients with acne vulgaris. Materials and methods. The authors conducted an open-label controlled study of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of Metrogyl gel for external use in a combination with Klenzit gel for external use. As many as 50 patients suffering from acne vulgaris took part in the study, which lasted for eight weeks. The subjects were subdivided into two groups: combination therapy (Group 1, n = 15) and monotherapy with the use of external retinoids (Group 2, n = 15). Results. Adverse effects such as dry skin and peeling were observed among the patients from Group 1 less often (by 3.3 times - 5/35 (14.3%) of cases) than in Group 2 (7/15 (46.7%) of cases) (p = 0.036). The total share of acne patients with clinical recovery and substantial improvement in Group 1 was 33/35 (94.3%), which is 41.4% as much as in Group 2 (10/15 (66.7%)) (p = 0.033). Conclusions. A combination of Metrogyl gel and external retinoids is more efficient than a monotherapy with the use of topical retinoid alone, and such a therapy demonstrates higher tolerability.

Keywords

• акне
• acne vulgaris
• метронидазол
• метрогил
• acne
• acne vulgaris
• metronidazole
• metrogyl