Efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion for the treatment of mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized pilot study

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of artemether emulsion treating patients with mild-to-moderate acne vulgaris. Methods: A total of 73 (randomized 1:1) patients were externally administered either artemether emulsion (1%) or fusidic acid emulsion (5g: 0.1g) twice daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy and safety evaluations were performed at weeks 0 and 12 by Global acne Grading System (GAGS), the number of acne and papule, as well as the rate of clinical respond. Results: After 12 weeks, patients randomized to the artemether emulsion group received artemether emulsion had significantly lower GAGS scores (5.08 +/- 1.99 versus 13.75 +/- 4.87, p < .001) compared to patients who received fusidic acid emulsion. Patients in the artemether emulsion group had comparable baseline acne scores (11.11 +/- 3.73 versus 10.75 +/- 4.66, p = .626) and papule score (16.11 +/- 5.58 versus 17.03 +/- 6.34, p = .356), but significantly lower acne score (3.00 +/- 1.55 versus 9.08 +/- 4.90, p < .001) and comparable papule score (2.81 +/- 1.61 versus 12.69 +/- 5.45, p < .001) compared to the fusidic acid emulsion group at 12 weeks. No major adverse events were noted in either treatment group through 12 weeks. Conclusions: Artemether emulsion had better effect in improving mild-to-moderate AV compared to fusidic acid emulsion with barely AEs.