Dosing & Uses
Acne
Pending FDA approval for treatment of acne
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Adapalene: Binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors and modulates cellular differentiation, keratinization and inflammatory processes; exact mechanism of action for treatment of acne is unknown
Benzoyl peroxide: Elicits action by releasing active oxygen; effective in vitro against Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobe found in sebaceous follicles and comedones; also elicits a keratolytic and desquamative effect which may also contribute to its efficacy
Clindamycin: Antibacterial agent that binds to the 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and prevents elongation of peptide chains by interfering with peptidyl transfer, thereby suppressing protein synthesis; reduces surface fatty acids on skin; exact mechanism of action in treating acne unknown
