PRACT-India: Practical Recommendations on Acne Care and Medical Treatment in India—A Modified Delphi Consensus
<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Acne vulgaris is a prevalent dermatological condition, yet clear, region-specific management guidelines, particularly for India's diverse population, remain limited. Effective acne management extends beyond pharmacologic therapy, emphasizing proper skincare, patient education, and adherence strategies. This consensus aims to provide tailored, evidence-based recommendations for optimizing acne treatment in the Indian context. <b>Methods:</b> A panel of 14 dermatology experts with ≥15 years of experience reviewed literature, real-world clinical practices, and patient-centric factors relevant to acne management in India. Using a modified Delphi process with two virtual voting rounds, 61 statements across seven clinical domains were evaluated. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement. <b>Results:</b> Topical retinoids remain the first-line therapy, with combination regimens (benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics) preferred to enhance efficacy and minimize antibiotic resistance. Hormonal therapies, including combined oral contraceptives and spironolactone, are recommended for females with resistant acne. Guidance includes individualized treatment plans, baseline investigations, and selection of appropriate topical and systemic agents. Special considerations for pregnancy and lactation prioritize maternal and fetal safety. <b>Conclusions:</b> This expert consensus provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for acne management in India, integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. The tailored guidance supports individualized care, antibiotic stewardship, and improved treatment adherence, aiming to enhance patient outcomes nationwide.
Authors
- Ashwin Balasubramanian (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8645-6804)
- Rahul Nagar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6400-3217)
- Saiprasad Patil
- Abir Saraswat (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3319-2080)
- Deepak Jakhar (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5516-8295)
- Sunil Dogra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9912-0085)
- Lalit Gupta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0264-8241)
- Dhiraj S. Dhoot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2045-9324)
- Malavika Kohli
- Hanmant Barkate (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4346-9194)
- Anand Nott
- Manas Ranjan Puhan
- Nina Madnani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3194-9721)
- Sanjay Rathi
- Sanjeev Aurangabadkar
- Prabhakar Sangolli
- Seetharam KA
Institutions
- University of Lucknow (IN)
- P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre (IN)
- Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College (IN)
- Rabindranath Tagore Medical College (IN)
- Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar (IN)
- Center for Ecological Noosphere Studies (AM)
- GSL Medical College & General Hospital (IN)
- Pain Clinic of India (IN)
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (India) (IN)
- Dermatrendz (IN)
- Skin Research Center (FR)
- Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (IN)
- Sri Siddhartha Medical College (IN)
- Dr. Hari Singh Gour University (IN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Antibiotics
- Published
- 2025-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080844
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.00
Funders
- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals