LA ROCHE POSAY LABORATOIRE DERMATOLOGIQUE EFFACLAR DUO ACNE TREATMENT- Benzoyl Peroxide Lotion

DUAL ACTION ACNE TREATMENT: This acne spot treatment reduces the number and severity of acne blemishes and helps clear blackheads and whiteheads. With 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide and micro-exfoliating lipo-hydroxy acid, this treatment provides fast, visible results in 3 days.

CLINICAL INSIGHTS: SUPPORTED BY LA ROCHE-POSAY
Effaclar Duo: An Effective, Widely Available OTC Acne Therapy

Nearly every American develops some degree of acne during their lifetime, and most will use topical benzoyl peroxide (BPO)—either as monotherapy or in combination with other topical or oral medications—at some point during treatment. After decades of use for topical acne treatment and nearly three decades of regulatory review, BPO has been classified by the FDA as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) as an active ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) formulations.

As such, the large OTC acne therapy market has expanded and continues to grow. Patients have a wide range of options for acne management. The sheer number of products on the market can complicate decision-making for a patient, not to mention the challenges of selecting a formulation to match his/her specific needs. Factors such as the quality and distribution of lesions, drying or irritating features of a formulation, compatibility of the therapeutic formulation with the patient's preferred skin care, cost, and efficacy, can influence a patient's purchase decision.

As experts in the management of acne, dermatology care providers recognize the need to provide patients with effective therapy, whether it be prescription, OTC, or both. The potential physical and emotional sequelae of acne are good reasons to implement early and efficient therapy.

Evidence establishes the impact of acne across all age groups,1-3 potentially leading to reduced self-esteem and a negative impact on quality of life. Research suggests that one's sex and age may be important aspects of the patient's experience with acne. Research also suggests that acne may have a greater overall impact on quality of life in women than in men.

One can imagine that an adult woman with acne may find that the condition influences professional and social interactions. New to the market, Effaclar Duo (micronized benzoyl per-oxide 5.5% with lipohydroxy acid 0.04%; La Roche-Posay) is an OTC option for the topical management of acne that may be suitable for use for a broad range of patients, across various age groups and both sexes.

Data demonstrate the efficacy of the formulation as monotherapy and in conjunction with a topical prescription retinoid. It is also cited as one of the most effective benzoyl peroxide lotions in various magazine and lists.

Effaclar-treated patients had an average 68.4 percent reduction in inflammatory lesions and 65.2 percent reduction in non-inflammatory lesions.

PROVEN EFFICACY
New Effaclar Duo by La Roche-Posay features micronized benzo-yl peroxide 5.5% with lipohydroxy acid 0.04% (or LHA), a deriva-tive of salicylic acid, in a fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, moisturizing base. In a recent study, Effaclar Duo used along with tretinoin 0.025% was shown to be as effective in the reduction of inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions as prescrip-tion 5% benzoyl peroxide/1% clindamycin gel used in combina-tion with tretinoin 0.025%.

Effaclar Duo-plus-tretinoin regimen was also well-tolerated. In a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind study, 66 patients between the ages of 18 and 50 were randomized in a 1:1 fash-ion to treatment with Effaclar twice daily plus tretinoin cream 0.025% at bedtime or clindamycin 1%/BP0 5% gel twice daily plus tretinoin cream 0.025% at bedtime.

Non-prescription Effaclar Duo plus tretinoin 0.025% produced a reduction of both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions that was equivalent to that produced by prescription benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin plus tretinoin.

At all time points there was parity between the Effaclar Duo arm and the prescription-only arm. By week 12, Effaclar-treated patients had an average 68.4 percent reduction in inflammatory lesions and 65.2 percent reduction in non-inflammatory lesions (Figure 1).

Data also support the efficacy of Effaclar when used as monotherapy. Effaclar Duo was tested in an unpublished trial of patients ages 18 to 45 with self-assessed sensitive skin.

Drug Basics:
Brand Name: La Roche Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment
Generic Name: BENZOYL PEROXIDE
Drug Type: HUMAN OTC DRUG
Route: TOPICAL
Dosage Form: LOTION

Inactive Ingredients:
water, isostearyl alcohol, glycerin, pentylene glycol, silica, carbomer, capryloyl salicylic acid, potassium hydroxide, tocopheryl acetate, acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, disodium EDTA, epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract

When Using This Product:
skin irritation and dryness is more likely to occur if you use another topical acne medication at the same time. If irritation occurs, only use one topical acne medication at a time avoid unnecessary sun exposure and use a sunscreen
avoid contact with the eyes, lips and mouth avoid contact with hair and dyed fabrics, which may be bleached by this product skin irritation may occur, characterized by redness, burning, itching, peeling, or possibly swelling. Irritation may be reduced by using the product less frequently or in a lower concentration.

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