Synergy and its clinical reievance in topical acne therapy.
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: Biologically active agents generally are thought of either as acting synergistically (they work together) or antagonistically (they counteract each other). However, the notion of synergy has a more nuanced meaning in pharmacological discussions. Two agents may complement each other, usually by providing a cumulative or additive effect. Within pharmacological discourse, "synergy" indicates that the sum of two agents' combined action is greater than the sum of the efficacy of the constituent parts. An example of synergy in dermatological therapy is a novel fixed combination formulation of adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide 2.5%. While the use of both topical benzoyl peroxide and a retinoid for the management of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris has become the standard of care, data show that the two agents in the once-daily, fixed combination adapalene/benzoyl peroxide gel formulation confer a synergistic effect, suggesting that the formulation can enhance efficacy and improve patient convenience and adherence.
Source: PubMed Central
Author: Leon H Kircik
Institution: Indiana University School of Medicine
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1825591349