Epiduo gel (Galderma), a fixed-dose combination of adapalene 0.1% (Differin), a synthetic retinoid analog, and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 2.5%, an oxidizing agent, has been approved by the FDA for topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients ≥12 years old.

RATIONALE FOR COMBINATION TREATMENT — Since the pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial, combining drugs with different mechanisms of action may enhance efficacy. Topical retinoids are often used in combination with topical or systemic antimicrobials for treatment of inflammatory acne.1 Adapalene modulates epithelial keratinization, inflammation and differentiation of follicular epithelial cells, decreasing formation of comedones and inflammatory lesions. The effect of BPO is primarily due to its bactericidal activity against Propionibacterium acnes. Unlike other topical antimicrobials, it has shown no evidence of ... more      

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