Acne subject preference for pump over tube for dispensing fixed-dose combination adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% gel

Abstract

Introduction: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease. Key to a patient's success on fixed-dose adapalene-benzoyl peroxide (BPO) gel is ensuring adherence. Use of a pump system to deliver a pre-measured amount of gel with each pressure enables application of a more consistent dose vs. the tube, which should improve adherence. In the present study, we evaluate patient preference for two different containers for dispensing adapalene-BPO gel.

Methods: In this 15-day, open-label study, 300 subjects were asked to treat their acne using fixed-dose adapalene 0.1%-BPO 2.5% gel dispensed in either a tube or a pump once-daily for up to 7 days. At week 1, subjects switched to the alternative packaging design for the same timeframe. At the end of the treatment period, subjects were asked to complete a subject preference survey.

Results: Among subjects completing the survey (n = 291), 79.0% (n = 230) preferred the pump for dispensing adapalene-BPO gel and 21.0% (n = 61) preferred the tube (p < 0.001). The top three characteristics of the pump were that it was easy to use (89.0%; n = 259/291), clean (73.2%; n = 213/291) and convenient (69.4%; n = 202/291). When asked to rate their experience with using the pump, 91.8% (n = 267/291; p < 0.001) of subjects reported being satisfied on a self-assessment scale. The majority of subjects stated they would tell their doctor about their preference for the pump next time adapalene-BPO gel was prescribed (76.6%; n = 223/291; p < 0.001) and would prefer the pump if both containers cost the same amount (80.1%; n = 233/291; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Patients prefer using a pump instead of a tube to dispense adapalene-BPO gel. This delivery mechanism helps to ensure consistent application and thus may improve patient adherence to the prescribed acne treatment regimen.

Fig. 1

Characteristics describing the adapalene–benzoyl peroxide (BPO) gel pump (n = 291) (subjects were asked to choose all that apply). The figure shows characteristics selected by subjects who completed the survey that they felt described the adapalene–BPO pump