Comparing Nadifloxacin Plus Tretinoin Versus Clindamycin Plus Tretinoin Creams for Mild-to-Moderate Acne

October 29, 2026 updated by: Muhammad Talha Suleman, Nishtar Medical University

Comparison of Efficacy of Topical Nadifloxacin With Tretinoin Versus Clindamycin With Tretinoin in Mild-to-Moderate Acne.

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effectiveness of two topical combination treatments for mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: 1% nadifloxacin with 0.025% tretinoin cream versus 1% clindamycin with 0.025% tretinoin cream. The study will be conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, and will enroll adults aged 18 to 40 years of either gender who are newly diagnosed with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Participants with drug-induced acne, endocrine disorders (such as PCOS), other chronic facial skin conditions, pregnancy or lactation, chronic systemic illness, or known hypersensitivity to the study medications will be excluded.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups, with allocation concealed using sealed opaque envelopes. Group A will apply nadifloxacin plus tretinoin cream, and Group B will apply clindamycin plus tretinoin cream. In both groups, a thin layer of the assigned cream will be applied once daily at bedtime to the whole affected area after washing the face with a mild cleanser. Participants will also be advised to use a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen and to avoid other acne treatments. Follow-up visits will take place at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, with medication use checked by inspecting returned tubes and side effects (redness, dryness, peeling, burning, itching, allergic reactions) recorded at each visit.

At baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment, a consultant dermatologist who is unaware of the treatment assigned will count inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions and grade acne severity using the Global Acne Grading System. The main outcome is the reduction in the number of inflammatory lesions after 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes are the reduction in non-inflammatory and total lesions, change in acne severity grade, and side effects.

The study hypothesizes that the reduction in inflammatory lesions at 12 weeks is greater with nadifloxacin plus tretinoin than with clindamycin plus tretinoin.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
158

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Pakistan
    • Punjab Province
      • Multan, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 60000
        • Recruiting
        • Nishtar Medical University and Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Muhammad T Suleman, MBBS

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 40 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • newly diagnosed with acne vulgaris
  • mild to moderate severity

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Drug induced acne or acneiform eruptions (corticosteroids, antiepileptics, lithium, iodides)
  • endocrine disorders (PCOS, Cushing syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
  • chronic dermatological conditions affecting face (Rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, perioral dermatitis)
  • pregnant or lactating women
  • chronic systemic illness (chronic liver disease, kidney disease)
  • patients with known hypersensitivity to study medications

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Nadifloxacin 1% plus Tretinoin 0.025% Cream

After washing the face with a mild cleanser and allowing the skin to dry for 20 to 30 minutes, a thin layer of 1% nadifloxacin combined with 0.025% tretinoin topical cream will be applied once daily at bedtime to the entire acne-affected area, avoiding the eyes, lips, and mucosal surfaces. Participants use a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen during the day and avoid other topical acne treatments. Treatment continues for 12 weeks
Drug: nadifloxacin

Topical 1% nadifloxacin cream

Drug: Tretinoin Cream 0.025%

Topical Tretinoin Cream 0.025%
Active Comparator: Clindamycin 1% plus Tretinoin 0.025% Cream

After washing the face with a mild cleanser and allowing the skin to dry for 20 to 30 minutes, a thin layer of 1% clindamycin combined with 0.025% tretinoin topical cream will be applied once daily at bedtime to the entire acne-affected area, avoiding the eyes, lips, and mucosal surfaces. Participants use a non-comedogenic moisturizer and sunscreen during the day and avoid other topical acne treatments. Treatment continues for 12 weeks
Drug: Tretinoin Cream 0.025%

Topical Tretinoin Cream 0.025%

Drug: Clindamycin

Topical Clindamycin 1% cream

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction in number of inflammatory acne lesions
Time Frame: From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Change in the number of inflammatory lesions (papules, nodules, pustules), calculated as the difference between the baseline count and the count at 12 weeks. Lesions are counted by a consultant dermatologist blinded to the treatment assigned.
From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Reduction in number of non-inflammatory acne lesions
Time Frame: From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Change in the number of non-inflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones), calculated as the difference between the baseline count and the count at 12 weeks, assessed by a blinded consultant dermatologist.
From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Reduction in total acne lesion count
Time Frame: From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Change in the total number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, calculated as the difference between the baseline count and the count at 12 weeks, assessed by a blinded consultant dermatologist.
From randomization to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Nishtar Medical University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Raheel T Associate Professor, FCPS, Nishtar Medical University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 17, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 16, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 16, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
October 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
November 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
November 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
October 29, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
October 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • U1111-1348-8715

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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