Safety and efficacy of nadifloxacin versus clindamycin observed in a tertiary care teaching hospital of Deccan Plateau

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is characterised by excess sebum production and inflammatory reaction in sebaceous glands. As propionibacterium is involved in aggravation of acne, antimicrobials like nadifloxacin and clindamycin were found to be effective in treatment.Comparison of nadifloxacin with clindamycin in terms of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion count and global improvement rating, when given in combination with benzoyl peroxide in patients in acne vulgarisNadifloxacin 1%, benzoyl peroxide 2.5% and clindamycin 1% were used as topical treatment option. Study cohort was randomly divided into two groups: Nadifloxacin group and Clindamycin group. All subjects who were included in the study were instructed to apply a thin layer of medication over acne lesions; benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel once daily at bedtime and clindamycin 1% gel or Nadifloxacin 1% gel twice daily. Efficacy is analysed by comparing changes in total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts, In addition, global improvement was rated by patients using a six-point scale (worsening, no improvement, slight improvement, moderate improvement, good improvement, clearance) at end of treatment.There is progressive decline in number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions in both groups. Analysis of lesion counts not showed any significant difference in between two groups. In global improvement rating scale, more number of patients using nadifloxacin with benzoyl peroxide reported good improvement compared to patients using Clindamycin with benzoyl peroxide. No patient in any group reported worsening of lesions. None of patients in study groups reported clearance. Two adverse events were reported during study, they were, burning sensation and dryness. There was no significant difference in incidence of adverse events in both treatment groups.Topical Nadifloxacin, a new fluoroquinolone is effective, tolerable and safe for mild or moderate facial acne. Its clinical effectiveness is equivalent to clindamycin when used as add-on therapy to benzoyl peroxide.