Combinations of adapalene and benzoyl peroxide for treating acne lesions

Abstract

Adapalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof formulated into a pharmaceutical composition is useful for reducing the number of acne lesions, via daily topical application, in combination or in association with benzoyl peroxide (BPO); such treatment may be via administration of a pharmaceutical composition combining adapalene and BPO or by a concomitant application of two pharmaceutical compositions, one containing adapalene and the other containing BPO.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing the number of acne lesions, comprising administering to an individual afflicted therewith, a thus effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition which comprises adapalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, administered in combination or in a concomitant application with benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         2 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition which comprises fixed combination which comprises (i) at least one compound selected from among adapalene and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and (ii) benzoyl peroxide, formulated into a pharmaceutically acceptable medium therefor. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , said acne lesions being of inflammatory and/or non-inflammatory type. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined by  claim 3 , in which the reduction of the number of inflammatory and/or non-inflammatory acne lesions is at least about 40%. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined by  claim 2 , comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition in which the adapalene and the benzoyl peroxide are present in synergistic amounts. 25 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined by  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises 0.1% of adapalene and 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined by  claim 2 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is a gel. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted for topical application. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined by  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of a composition A comprising adapalene, to be applied concomitantly with a composition B comprising benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein the adapalene and the benzoyl peroxide are present, respectively, in compositions A and B in synergistic amounts. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein composition A comprises 0.1% of adapalene and composition B comprises 2.5% of benzoyl peroxide. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein the compositions A and B are gels. 
     
     
         13 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein the composition A and composition B are presented in the form of a kit. 
     
     
         14 . The method as defined by  claim 13 , wherein the kit comprises two isolated compartments each containing one of the two pharmaceutical compositions A or B. 
     
     
         15 . The method as defined by  claim 13 , wherein the kit comprises at least one association of the two compositions A and B, in two separate packages in the same presentation. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein the said pharmaceutical composition is composition A, to be applied in any order or sequentially, within a time interval of less than 1 hour, with composition B. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined by  claim 9 , wherein the compositions A and B are adapted for topical application. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined by  claim 3 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is useful for reducing the number of inflammatory acne lesions. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined by  claim 3 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is useful for reducing the number of non-inflammatory acne lesions. 
     
     
         20 . A method for potentiating the action of benzoyl peroxide, comprising administering therewith adapalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
         21 . A kit comprising at least two components:
 a first component which comprises at least adapalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and   a second component which comprises benzoyl peroxide.   
     
     
         22 . A product comprising:
 (i) a container delimiting at least one compartment, the said container being sealed by means of a closing member; and   (ii) a pharmaceutical composition which comprises adapalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and benzoyl peroxide, confined inside the said compartment.