As a community pharmacist, Aklief (trifarotene) and Amzeeq (minocycline) are two new once-daily prescription topicals for acne that have entered the market.
Aklief is the first new retinoid in over 20 years. It will be promoted as a cream in a pump for use on the face, chest, shoulders, and back, for patients as young as age 9. You’ll hear Aklief selectively targets one type of retinoic acid receptor. Other retinoids act on at least two receptors. But there’s no evidence Aklief is more effective or better tolerated than other retinoids (adapalene, tazarotene, or tretinoin). Aklief is priced higher than tretinoin 0.05% cream and over-the-counter Differin gel for the same quantity. Stick with other topical retinoids for acne. Any can be used for facial and truncal acne, AND in kids.
Amzeeq is the first topical minocycline and comes in a foam. But there’s no proof Amzeeq works better or is more moisturizing than topical clindamycin, and Amzeeq is priced higher than clindamycin solution or lotion. If a topical antibiotic is needed for acne, choose clindamycin plus benzoyl peroxide to possibly limit resistance.
REFERENCES
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Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris [published correction appears in J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020 Jun;82(6):1576]. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(5):945-73.e33. Available at: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(15)02614-6/fulltext
Tan J, Thiboutot D, Popp G, et al. Randomized phase 3 evaluation of trifarotene 50 μg/g cream treatment of moderate facial and truncal acne. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(6):1691-1699. Available at: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)30335-4/fulltext
Raoof TJ, Hooper D, Moore A, et al. Efficacy and safety of a novel topical minocycline foam for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris: A phase 3 study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(4):832-837. Available at: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)30882-5/fulltext