Efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized pilot study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion treating patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Methods A total of 73 (randomized 1:1) patients were externally administered either artemether emulsion (1%) or fusidic acid emulsion (5g: 0.1g) twice daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety evaluations were performed at weeks 0 and 12 by Global acne Grading System (GAGS), the number of acne and papule, as well as the rate of clinical respond. Results After 12 weeks, patients randomized to the artemether emulsion group received artemether emulsion had significantly lower GAGS scores (5.08 ± 1.99 versus 13.75 ± 4.87, p < .001) compared to patients who received fusidic acid emulsion. Patients in the artemether emulsion group had comparable baseline acne scores (11.11 ± 3.73 versus 10.75 ± 4.66, p = .626) and papule score (16.11 ± 5.58 versus 17.03 ± 6.34, p = .356), but significantly lower acne score (3.00 ± 1.55 versus 9.08 ± 4.90, p < .001) and comparable papule score (2.81 ± 1.61 versus 12.69 ± 5.45, p < .001) compared to the fusidic acid emulsion group at 12 weeks. No major adverse events were noted in either treatment group through 12 weeks. Conclusions Artemether emulsion had better effect in improving mild-to-moderate AV compared to fusidic acid emulsion with barely AEs.