For patients with moderate to severe and persistent acne, oral and topical antibiotics have been the therapies of choice. Antibiotics work to reduce the Propionibacterium acnes population, which decreases inflammation. P. acnes were initially highly susceptible to a broad range of antibiotics, but can become resistant to antibiotics. Acne patients with resistant strains of P. acnes have higher bacterial counts and a poorer treatment response than those with sensitive strains. The most serious issue for dermatology today is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). S. aureus is the most common known cause of skin and soft tissue infections. Resistance can be potentially reversed if selective pressure exerted by antibiotics is removed.
To prevent bacterial resistance in acne therapy, health care providers should minimize long-term antibiotic use, avoid oral or topical antibiotic monotherapy, and use benzoyl peroxide (BPO) if long-term topical therapy is required. Current guidelines for acne management recommend the use of combination regimens in order to address multiple aspects of acne pathogenesis. It is generally recommended that a retinoid be used early in the treatment regimen. Topical antibiotics should be used in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide, as studies have shown the combination to be superior to either agent alone.
This web cast will discuss optimizing combination therapy to address the multiple aspects of acne pathogenesis. Findings will be presented from a recent 12-week, multicenter, community-based study of moderate to severe facial acne patients. Results from this study will be important to guide the clinician in appropriately prescribing a topical fixed-combination regimen; raise awareness as to its anti-inflammatory, and comedonal lesion reduction properties, as either a fixed combination or in combination with a topical retinoid, in an effort to produce maximum efficacy and minimal cutaneous side effects.
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Elsevier Office of Continuing Medical Education (EOCME) and Skin & Allergy News. The EOCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
CME CREDIT STATEMENT
The EOCME designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from
