Topical Therapy of Acne Vulgaris Using Ciprofloxacin Solution 1.5% in Comparison With Clindamycin Solution 1.5%

There are many topical therapies that have been used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris, yet there is no optimal therapy is defined. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of topical 1.5 % ciprofloxacin solution in the treatment of mild type of acne vulgaris in comparison with topical 1.5 % clindamycin solution. Sixty eight patients with mild acne vulgaris were included in this single-blind comparative therapeutics clinical trial which was conducted in the Department of Dermatology-Baghdad Teaching Hospital from February 2016 - March 2017. The patients were divided into two groups and applied the following solutions twice daily on the face for eight weeks: Group A used 1.5 % ciprofloxacin solution, while Group B used 1.5 % clindamycin solution in the same manner as Group A. Full clinical assessment was carried out. Scoring system was done every two weeks till the end of the therapy to record the clinical improvement of the lesions and any topical or systemic side effects. Follow up was done for another four weeks after cessation of therapy to record any clinical relapse. Sixty one patients with mild acne vulgaris completed the course of treatment, their ages ranged from 17-25 (19.3 1.9) years, thirty patients in Group A with mean ages 18.8 1.8 years and thirty one in Group B their mean ages 19.8 2.1 years. Both topical ciprofloxacin and topical clindamycin solutions cleared the lesions in mild acne within 8 weeks of therapy and when compared the results of the two groups with each other there was no statistical differences between the groups, but topical ciprofloxacin solution was more effective in the clearance of papules, while topical clindamycin was more effective on pustules. In conclusion; topical 1.5 % ciprofloxacin solution was as effective as topical 1.5 % clindamycin solution in the treatment of mild acne vulgaris, with negligible side effects.