Topical metronidazole combination therapy in the clinical management of rosacea

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, July-August, 2005 by James Q. Del Rosso, Joseph Bikowski

*21/30 (70%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*7/30 (23%) rated as moderate at baseline and completely clear (absent) at end of study

*2/30 (7%) rated as mild at baseline and completely clear (absent) at end of study

Erythema Intensity

*2/30 (7%) rated as severe at baseline and mild at end of study

*19/30 (63%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*7/30 (23%) rated as moderate at baseline and absence of erythema at end of study

*2/30 (7%) rated as mild at baseline and absence of erythema at end of study

Telangiectasia Intensity

*3/30 (10%) rated as severe at baseline and moderate at end of study

*20/30 (67%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*7/30 (23%) rated as moderate at baseline and moderate at end of study

Patient Assessments

Overall Improvement (Figure 3)

*4/30 (13%) reported complete improvement at end of study

*19/30 (63%) reported marked improvement at end of study

*6/30 (20%) reported slight improvement at end of study

*1/30 (3%) reported no improvement at end of study

*No patients reported worsening of rosacea

Erythema Improvement

*3/30 (10%) reported complete improvement at end of study

*18/30 (60%) reported marked improvement at end of study

*8/30 (27%) reported slight improvement at end of study

*1/30 (3%) reported no improvement at end of study

Symptom Improvement

*29/30 (97%) patients reported rosacea-associated symptoms at baseline

*17/29 (59%) reported complete improvement at end of study

*11/29 (38%) reported marked improvement at end of study

*1/29 (3%) reported no improvement at end of study

Safety and Tolerability Assessment

*1/31 (3%) discontinued treatment due to facial "redness and itching" noted within the first few days of therapy (reported at week 5 visit)

*2/30 (7%) noted dryness within the first week which resolved with continued therapy

*1/30 (3%) noted mild peeling during the first few weeks of therapy which resolved with continued therapy

*1/30 (3%) noted mild erythema during the first few days of therapy which resolved with continued therapy

* No systemic adverse events were reported

CASE STUDY RESULTS: Sulfacetamide-Sulfur Sunscreens Cream Once Daily in the Morning Metronidazole 0.75% Gel Once Daily in the Evening (n = 22)

All 22 patients were included in the final analysis.

Investigator Assessments

Overall Severity

*2/22 (9%) rated as severe at baseline and mild at end of study

*13/22 (59%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*7/22 (32%) rated as moderate at baseline and completely clear (absent) at end of study

Erythema Intensity

*2/22 (9%) rated as severe at baseline and mild at end of study

*14/22 (64%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*6/22 (27%) rated as moderate at baseline and absence of erythema at end of study

Telangiectasia Intensity

*2/22 (9%) rated as severe at baseline and moderate at end of study

*16/22 (73%) rated as moderate at baseline and mild at end of study

*4/22 (18%) rated as moderate at baseline and moderate at end of study

Patient Assessments