Topical treatment of acne rosacea with benzoyl peroxide acetone gel

Abstract

A group of patients with acne rosacea was treated with 5 percent benzoyl peroxide acetone gel for four weeks and then with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide acetone gel for an additional four weeks. A parallel group of patients was treated with a matching placebo (acetone gel vehicle). At the end of the first four weeks of treatment the dropout rate due to lack of improvement was 23 and 63 percent for benzoyl peroxide acetone gel and placebo, respectively. Benzoyl peroxide acetone gel was superior to placebo with respect to improvement in the overall severity of the lesions when judged by photographs, and by reduction of erythema, papules, and pustules. Results after treatment with benzoyl peroxide acetone gel were better during weeks five to eight than during weeks one to four for all lesions except telangiectasia. Benzoyl peroxide acetone gel was superior to placebo when the overall responses were compared. In addition, the benzoyl peroxide acetone gel-treated group, but not the placebo-treated group, showed a significantly better response during weeks five to eight compared to weeks one to four.