Case scenario

Lauren, a woman in her mid-20s, asks your advice about treating her skin lesions. She has tried benzoyl peroxide cream for several months, but she is still concerned about her appearance. You note that she has about a dozen visible comedones and several pustules on her forehead. She confirms that she has no other lesions in other areas. She identifies that her skin is quite oily and tells you that she has no other medical conditions, only taking an oral contraceptive.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Describe the features of acne vulgaris
  • Discuss the role of adapalene in the treatment of acne vulgaris
  • Assess the suitability of supplying adapalene as an over-the-counter treatment for acne vulgaris.

Competency Standards addressed (2016): 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5

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Introduction

Pharmacists can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of acne vulgaris. Non-prescription medicines are commonly used to treat acne, and the recent down-scheduling of adapalene 0.1% to a Pharmacist Only Medicine provides the opportunity for pharmacists to recommend it as an effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

This article provides a review of acne, with a focus on adapalene and its use as a non-prescription medicine to treat acne vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by the for

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