Abstract: Objective To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of 5% benzoyl peroxide(BPO)gel with 0.1% adapalene gel in patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris.Methods Randomized,multicenter,open and parallel controlled study.Combined therapy group received 0.1% adapalene gel(once daily in the evening)plus BPO gel 5%(once daily in the morning),and the control group received 0.1% adapalene gel(once daily in the evening)for 12 weeks.Results 150 patients were enrolled in 3 centers.At week 8,a reduction of 74.6% and 56.7%(defined as markedly improved or clear in the clinical assessment)in total lesion counts in the combined therapy group and the control group was observed,respectively(P<0.05).At week 12,the figures were 81.3% and 68.9%,respectively.Mild dryness,scaling,stinging or burning,erythema and pruritus occurred,but no significant difference was found between the two groups,except stinging or burning at week 4 and 8.Conclusions 0.1% adapalene gel combined with 5% BPO gel therapy is more effective than0.1%adapalene alone in mild to moderate acne cases,with a rapid response and similar adverse reactions.

Key words: Acne vulgaris, Adapalene, Benzoyl peroxide