In this episode of Topical Conversations, John Barbieri, MD, MBA, FAAD, gives an overview of a triple-combination topical therapy for acne comprising clindamycin, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide, highlighting its efficacy, safety, and tolerability and how this formulation may impact patient adherence. 

Efficacy 

In phase 3 clinical trials, the success rates, as measured by the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) of achieving clear or almost clear skin, were 50% for those using the treatment, compared to 20% for those using the vehicle. For context, most single-ingredient topical therapies show a delta of about 10% between the treatment and the vehicle. Fixed-dose combination treatments with 2 ingredients generally show a delta of around 20%. Therefore, the 30% delta observed with clindamycin/adapalene/benzoyl peroxide underscores its potential as a powerful option in acne therapy. 

Meta-analysis findings 

A meta-analysis that reviewed over 221 randomized controlled trials found that clindamycin/adapalene/benzoyl peroxide had the highest rates of effectiveness among all acne treatments evaluated. Earlier studies also demonstrated that this triple-combination therapy outperformed any of the dual-ingredient combinations. 

Tolerability and safety profile 

In addition to its efficacy, clindamycin/adapalene/benzoyl peroxide demonstrates a favorable tolerability profile. The phase 3 trials reported a discontinuation rate due to adverse effects of just 2.5%. For comparison, phase 3 studies of adapalene-benzoyl peroxide combinations reported discontinuation rates of about 2%, while tretinoin-benzoyl peroxide combinations had a rate of approximately 3.2%. The meta-analysis also indicated that this new treatment is relatively well-tolerated, on par with other topical retinoid or fixed-dose combination treatments. 

Implications for patient adherence 

This triple-combination therapy not only shows high efficacy and good tolerability but also has the potential to improve patient adherence. Studies have consistently shown that patients are more likely to adhere to fixed-dose combination products compared to using individual components separately. Improved adherence often leads to better outcomes in acne management, making this therapy a promising option for patients.