A Randomised Controlled Study of Topical Benzoyl Peroixde with Oral Doxycycline Versus Topical Benzoyl Peroxide with Oral Lymecycline in Acne Vulgaris

Background: Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disease of pilosebaceous unit, which has a variable course, with acute or insidious onset, relapses and recurrences. It is one of the commonest disease of patients attending the dermatology clinic. Tetracyclines are the most common oral antibiotic  prescribed for acne vulgaris. Aims: Our study aims to compare the efficacy of  topical 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide gel (BPO) with oral Doxycycline versus topical 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide gel with oral Lymecycline  in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Methods:  The study included 100 patients with acne vulgaris divided into two groups of 50 each. Group A were treated with topical 2.5% Benzoyl peroxide gel once daily application at night and capsule Doxycycline 100mg twice a day and Group B were treated with topical 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide gel once daily application at night and capsule Lymecycline 408 mg once a day for 12 weeks.  The primary assessment was  done using Indian Association of Acne (IAA) grading at baseline and then every fortnight till 12 weeks. Patients were followed up for another 12 weeks after completion of the study. Results: The gradewise distribution of acne based upon IAA grading among both the groups were compared. Chi square test and p value for all 3 grades of acne at baseline, 2week, 4 week, 6 week, 8 week, 10 week, 12 week showed statistical improvement among patients in group B at 2, 8 and 10 weeks with p value being 0.01,0.01 and 0.007 respectively. Conclusions: From our study it is evident that  Lymecycline is superior to Doxycycline, with much statistical significance among moderate to severe acne.