Comparison of Topical 5% Nicotinamid and 2% Clindamycin Gels in the Treatment of the Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Acne vulgaris is considered as one of the most common disorders for which، patients seek dermatologic care. In the current study، we evaluated the efficacy of the 5% nicotinamide gel versus 2% clindamycin gel in the treatment of the mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

This randomized، controlled clinical trial was performed in 2009-2010. Sixty female patients with mild or moderate acne vulgaris were recruited to be treated either with 5% nicotinamide or 2% clindamycin gel for 8 weeks. Acne severity index (ASI) was used to evaluate the response to treatment and SPSS software was used to analyze the data.

The mean of ASI at the baseline was 16. 85 ± 8. 50 and 18. 20 ± 12. 27 in nicotinamide and clindamycin groups، respectively (P > 0. 0500). The mean of ASI was significantly decreased compared with baseline during the time in both groups (P < 0. 0001). However، there was not any significant difference regarding reduction of ASI between the nicotinamide and clindamycin groups (P = 0. 5830).

Five percent nicotinamide gel is as effective as 2% clindamycin gel for treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris. No side effect was observed during the treatment. Keywords: Acne، Clindamycin، Nicotinamide، Treatment