Topical application of adapalene for the long-term treatment of acne vulgaris

Abstract

Administration of adapalene in a topical medicament to a patient so as to sustain its biological response in the treatment of acne vulgaris, wherein the administration pattern of the topical medicament comprises topically applying onto the afflicted skin area a therapeutically effective amount of adapalene at least once every two days for at least 6 months.

1 . A regimen for the treatment of acne vulgaris, comprising topically applying onto the afflicted skin area of an individual in need of such treatment, an anti-acne effective amount of a topical adapalene formulation at least once every two days for a period of time of at least six months. 
   
   
       2 . A regimen for the treatment of acne vulgaris, comprising topically applying onto the afflicted skin area of an individual in need of such treatment, an anti-acne effective amount of a topical adapalene formulation at least once every two days for a period of time of at least six months, wherein adapalene is the only active acne-treating agent administered during said period of time. 
   
   
       3 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , said topical adapalene formulation comprising an aqueous gel composition. 
   
   
       4 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 2 , said topical adapalene formulation comprising an aqueous gel composition. 
   
   
       5 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , said topical adapalene formulation comprising at least 0.2% adapalene by weight. 
   
   
       6 . A regimen for the treatment of acne vulgaris, comprising topically applying onto the afflicted skin area of an individual in need of such treatment, an anti-acne effective amount of a topical adapalene formulation at least once every two days for a period of time of at least six months; said topical adapalene formulation comprising at least 0.2% adapalene by weight, wherein adapalene is the only active acne-treating agent administered during said period of time. 
   
   
       7 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , said topical adapalene formulation comprising from 0.25% to 0.5% adapalene by weight. 
   
   
       8 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 6 , said topical adapalene formulation comprising from 0.25% to 0.5% adapalene by weight. 
   
   
       9 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation once daily onto said afflicted skin area. 
   
   
       10 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 9 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation once daily, in the evening after wash, onto said afflicted skin area. 
   
   
       11 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation onto said afflicted skin area for at least nine months. 
   
   
       12 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation onto said afflicted skin area for at least twelve months. 
   
   
       13 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 3 , comprising topically applying said aqueous adapalene gel composition onto said afflicted skin area for at least nine months. 
   
   
       14 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 3 , comprising topically applying said aqueous adapalene gel composition onto said afflicted skin area for at least twelve months. 
   
   
       15 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 1 , said afflicted skin area containing 20 to 100 non-inflammatory lesions, 20 to 50 inflammatory lesions, and no active nodules or cysts. 
   
   
       16 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 2 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation once daily onto said afflicted skin area. 
   
   
       17 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 16 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation once daily, in the evening after wash, onto said afflicted skin area. 
   
   
       18 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 2 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation onto said afflicted skin area for at least nine months. 
   
   
       19 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 2 , comprising topically applying said adapalene formulation onto said afflicted skin area for at least twelve months. 
   
   
       20 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 4 , comprising topically applying said aqueous adapalene gel composition onto said afflicted skin area for at least nine months. 
   
   
       21 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 4 , comprising topically applying said aqueous adapalene gel composition onto said afflicted skin area for at least twelve months. 
   
   
       22 . The acne vulgaris regimen as defined by  claim 2 , said afflicted skin area containing 20 to 100 non-inflammatory lesions, 20 to 50 inflammatory lesions, and no active nodules or cysts.