Efficacy of Topical Dapsone 5% Gel and Topical Adapalene 0.1% Gel In Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Topical Dapsone and Adapalene in Acne

Abstract

Acne is a common dermatological condition, affecting 9.4% of the global population, and is found in all age groups, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Objective: To compare effectiveness of dapsone 5% gel once daily with adapalene 0.1% gel monotherapy for mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Methods: Fifty individuals with mild to moderate acne, with a lesional count ranging from three to thirty, participated in an open-label, quasi-experimental comparative trial. Two therapy groups Group B received adapalene 0.1% gel (n = 24) and Group A received Adapsone 5% gel (n = 23). Patients were directed to cover their faces with a small amount of the gel that was supplied to them. At weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, non-inflammatory lesion counts, total lesion counts, and adverse effects were assessed. Results: In all treatment groups, the prevalence of all forms of acne lesions declined from baseline. Dapsone 5% gel was less effective than adapalene 0.1% gel in reducing inflammatory lesions (p < 0.05). Adapalene 0.1% gel group experienced somewhat more adverse effects than dapsone 5% gel group, with a statistically significant difference (p-value 0.04). Conclusions: The conclusion has been updated to emphasize the clinical relevance of the findings. Specifically, it is now stated that Dapsone 5% gel is an effective and safer alternative for patients with mild to moderate acne who have sensitivity to retinoids, while Adapalene remains the preferred option for patients requiring more aggressive treatment of inflammatory lesions. This provides clear guidance for dermatologists in clinical practice.