Metronidazole 2% Gel Versus Clindamycin 1% Gel for Moderate Acne Vulgaris
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Metronidazole Topical Gel 2%, Clindamycin Topical Gel 1%.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Acne Vulgaris. Basic parameters: 18 years — 35 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Comparison Of The Efficacy Of 2% Metronidazole Gel Versus 1% Clindamycin Gel In The Treatment Of Moderate Acne Vulgaris
Overview
Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disorder. This randomized controlled trial (RCT) will compare the efficacy and safety of 2% metronidazole gel versus 1% clindamycin gel in adults with moderate acne vulgaris at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. Sixty eligible participants (18-35 years) will be enrolled using consecutive sampling and randomized in a 1:1 ratio using blocked randomization. Participants will apply the assigned gel as a thin layer twice daily for 12 weeks. Acne severity will be assessed using the Modified Global Acne Grading System (mGAGS) at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants achieving at least a 50% reduction from baseline in total mGAGS score at week 12. Local adverse effects (e.g., erythema, itching, irritation) will be recorded at each follow-up visit.
Detailed description
This is an investigator-initiated, parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. After approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP), adults aged 18-35 years with moderate acne vulgaris, defined by a Modified Global Acne Grading System (mGAGS) score of 45-80, and not using other anti-acne therapies will be enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Participants who are pregnant or lactating, have severe acne (mGAGS \>80), have a known allergy to metronidazole or clindamycin, or have other dermatologic conditions affecting the face will be excluded.
Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 allocation using blocked randomization to receive either metronidazole 2% gel or clindamycin 1% gel. The assigned treatment will be applied as a thin layer twice daily (morning and night) for 12 weeks after gentle cleansing and drying of the face. Concomitant anti-acne products will be discouraged during the intervention period. Follow-up assessments will occur at weeks 4, 8, and 12. At each visit, acne severity will be assessed using mGAGS, and tolerability will be evaluated by recording local adverse effects, including erythema, itching, dryness, burning, or irritation.
The primary endpoint is treatment response at week 12, defined as a ≥50% reduction in total mGAGS score from baseline. Participants will be classified as responders (≥50% reduction) or non-responders (\<50% reduction). Data will be analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Categorical outcomes will be compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables will be compared using the independent-samples t test or Mann-Whitney U test according to data distribution. Stratified analyses will explore effect modification by age and sex. A two-sided p value ≤0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
Interventions
- Drug Metronidazole Topical Gel 2%
Topical metronidazole gel 2% applied as a thin layer to affected areas twice daily (morning and night) for 12 weeks after gentle cleansing and drying. - Drug Clindamycin Topical Gel 1%
Topical clindamycin gel 1% applied as a thin layer to affected areas twice daily (morning and night) for 12 weeks after gentle cleansing and drying.
Primary outcome measures
- Treatment response by mGAGS at Week 12 [Time frame: 12 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
Adults aged 18-35 years of either sex.
Clinical diagnosis of moderate acne vulgaris, defined as a Modified Global Acne Grading System (mGAGS) score of 45-80.
Not currently using any other anti-acne treatment (topical or systemic).
Exclusion criteria
Pregnant or lactating women.
Severe acne vulgaris, defined as an mGAGS score >80.
Known hypersensitivity/allergy to metronidazole or clindamycin (or any component of the study gels).
Any other dermatologic condition affecting the face that may interfere with assessment of acne severity or treatment response.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- 20. Verma R, Yadav P, Chudhari M, Patel J, Umrigar D. Comparison of efficacy of two topical drug therapy of acne vulgaris-1% clindamycin versus 5% dapsone: a split-face comparative study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2022;12(6):817-822.
- Irshad M, Syed AW, Shahid MW, Naeem U, Mirza M, Naeem S. Comparative Effects of Azithromycin and Probiotics for Treatment of Acne Vulgaris. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2023 May;33(5):516-520. doi: 10.29271/jcpsp.2023.05.516. PMID 37190684
- Naveed S, Masood S, Rahman A, Awan S, Tabassum S. Impact of acne on quality of life in young Pakistani adults and its relationship with severity: A multicenter study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021 May-Jun;37(3):727-732. doi: 10.12669/pjms.37.3.2819. PMID 34104156
- Dessinioti C, Katsambas A. Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in Acne: Epidemiological Trends and Clinical Practice Considerations. Yale J Biol Med. 2022 Dec 22;95(4):429-443. eCollection 2022 Dec. PMID 36568833
- Dreno B, Dekio I, Baldwin H, Demessant AL, Dagnelie MA, Khammari A, Corvec S. Acne microbiome: From phyla to phylotypes. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2024 Apr;38(4):657-664. doi: 10.1111/jdv.19540. Epub 2023 Oct 11. PMID 37777343
- 15. Chen X, et al. Metronidazole: the clinical efficacy and pharmacological effects. Biomedicines. 2023;11(8):2153. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11082153
- Khodaeiani E, Fouladi RF, Yousefi N, Amirnia M, Babaeinejad S, Shokri J. Efficacy of 2% metronidazole gel in moderate acne vulgaris. Indian J Dermatol. 2012 Jul;57(4):279-81. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.97666. PMID 22837561
- Nakase K, Aoki S, Sei S, Fukumoto S, Horiuchi Y, Yasuda T, Tanioka M, Sugai J, Huh WW, Kakuta M, Nomoto M, Shimada T, Watanabe M, Kobayashi M, Murakami S, Takeo C, Tsubouchi R, Hayashi N, Noguchi N. Characterization of acne patients carrying clindamycin-resistant Cutibacterium acnes: A Japanese multicenter study. J Dermatol. 2020 Aug;47(8):863-869. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.15397. Epub 2020 May 18. PMID 32424832
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07392047 · JPMC-ACNE-RCT-01