Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice

Abstract  Acne vulgaris is a disease of pilosebaceous unit with multifactorial pathogenesis and threats patients' social functioning. There is a growing research to find faster, more effective, and easy to use treatments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of benzoyl peroxide 5% (BP) with and without concomitant intense-pulsed light (IPL) therapy in mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Methods: In this controlled trial, 58 eligible patients with mild-to-moderate acne and Fitzpatrick skin phototype III and IV were randomly allocated to two groups. All patients were asked to use a thin layer of BP every night. The IPL therapy was administered at the end of first, 2^nd, and 3^rd months. Acne Global Severity Scale (AGSS), Acne Severity Index (ASI), and total lesion counting (TLC) along with patient satisfaction were recorded. Patients were also examined 1 month after the final therapeutic visit. Findings: The IPL group showed greater reduction in AGSS (P < 0.001) and TLC (P = 0.005) than the control group. However, the difference in ASI was not significant (P = 0.12). Patients in IPL groups were more satisfied than control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Adding IPL to BP can result better response to BP alone. In acne treatment, combination therapy such as IPL and other topical agents should be kept in mind.

Abstract This study was conducted to compare the effect of low-dose isotretinoin with its conventional dose in patients with moderate and severe acne. Methods: This was a clinical trial conducted on 60 male and female patients with moderate and severe acne vulgaris. The patients were divided into two treatment groups: 0.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin capsule and low-dose isotretinoin capsule (0.25 mg/kg/day). Patients in both groups received 6-month treatment. At the end of the 6^th month and 12^th month (6 months after the end of the treatment), they were examined again, and their improvement was determined and compared. Findings: The average severity of acne in the two treatment groups did not differ significantly within any of the study periods. The most common side effects were nose dryness in the low-dose group (17%) and hair thinning and loss in the conventional
- dose group (33.2%), although all the patients had dry lips. Conclusion: According to the same severity of the acne in two groups in different study periods, as well as fewer side effects and more patients' satisfaction, the low-dose isotretinoin can be considered in the treatment of acne.

Abstract  This study was conducted to evaluate the combination of oral supplements with 2% minoxidil solution in four groups of women with hair loss. Methods: A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from July to December 2016 in dermatology clinics affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. A total of 73, 15–45-year-old, women with hair loss participated in this 4-month study. Simple randomization using Random Allocation Software was done to put the participants in four groups to receive coadministration of zinc sulfate and calcium pantothenate, zinc sulfate, calcium pantothenate, and 2% minoxidil solution. The primary endpoint was the change in hair density and diameter measured by dermatoscope. Secondary endpoints included the researcher's evaluation, dermatologist's opinion - which was blinded to the study - from comparing the participants' photographs before and after treatment and finally, overall changes in hair density measured by participants' self-assessment. Findings: Seventy-three women participated in this study. Primary hair count and thickness were 118.5 ± 10 hairs/cm² and 58.8 ± 5.8 μ that changed to 124 ± 11 hairs/cm² and 62.3 ± 4.3 μ respectively (P < 0.001) which in the zinc plus pantothenate group these changes were from 118.6 ± 9.9 hairs/cm² to 121.9 ± 11.1 hairs/cm² (P = 0.042) and from 62.2 ± 6.6 μ to 64.0 ± 5.0 μ (P = 0.126), respectively. Hair density increments were more obvious in the minoxidil group, and hair thickness increments were more obvious in pantothenate group. Participants' satisfaction was 85% in the combination therapy which was more than other groups. Participants' satisfaction, author's and blind dermatologist's opinion showed a significant correlation (P = 0.0001). Conclusion: Based on the participants' satisfaction, the combination of zinc sulfate and calcium pantothenate when administered in a pulse therapy way could be a good choice for hair loss controlling in initial stages.