The efficacy and skin tolerance of 1 percent
clindamycin phosphate lotion were compared with those of the placebo for the lotion in a randomized, double-blind, 12-week study in forty-six patients with moderate to severe
acne vulgaris. Patients using the 1 percent
clindamycin lotion experienced reductions in numbers of pustules, papules, open comedones, and nodulocystic lesions. Papule counts were also reduced in placebo-treated patients. The group using
clindamycin lotion had significantly greater reductions in pustule counts at week 12 and papule counts at week 3 than the placebo-treated group. Nearly 90 percent of the evaluable patients at week 12 experienced improvement or marked improvement in their
acne according to the physician's evaluation, regardless of treatment group. Both regimens were well tolerated. Although
diarrhea was reported by eight patients (three taking
clindamycin, five receiving placebo), no patients discontinued the protocol because of
diarrhea. This study demonstrated the efficacy of 1 percent
clindamycin topical lotion in the treatment of moderate to severe
acne vulgaris.