A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF ONCE DAILY 0.1% TAZAROTENE AND ADAPALENE GEL FOR THE TREATMENT OF FACIAL ACNE VULGARIS

Abstract

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the pilo-sebaceous
follicles, primarily observed in young adults, and it carries considerable psychological and
social consequences. Tretinoin, which has been extensively utilized over the years, is
gradually being supplanted by newer generation treatments such as Tazarotene and
Adapalene. Unlike Tretinoin, these newer agents are selective for specific 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 study
was conducted involving 60 patients diagnosed with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris,
who visited the outpatient department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprosy over a span
of two years. The participants were alternately assigned to two groups: Group A and Group
B. Group A was treated with 0.1% Tazarotene gel, while Group B received 0.1% Adapalene
gel, with instructions to apply the medication topically once daily in the evening. Follow-up
assessments were carried out at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Results: During the fourth week
of post-treatment assessment, the non-inflammatory lesions (comedones) exhibited a more
rapid response to Tazarotene 0.1% gel compared to Adapalene 0.1% gel. By the conclusion
of the twelfth week of the treatment period, Tazarotene 0.1% gel demonstrated a clear
superiority over Adapalene 0.1% gel in its efficacy as an anti-acne 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.