J Korean Med Sci.  2011 May;26(5):694-696. 10.3346/jkms.2011.26.5.694.

Oral Azithromycin for Treatment of Intractable Rosacea

• Kim JH
• Oh YS
• Choi EH

• KMID: 1777873
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2011.26.5.694

Abstract

Rosacea is a common chronic cutaneous disorder that primarily occurs on the convex surfaces of the central face and is often characterized by exacerbations and remissions. A case of a 52-yr-old woman visited our clinic in February 2008 complaining typical features of rosacea including multiple pinhead to rice-sized erythematous papules. We applied various conventional treatments including topical benzoyl peroxide and metronidazole as well as oral metronidazole, isotretinoin, and doxycycline. The lesions were not controlled but were rather aggravated by complications from these treatments. Therefore, we prescribed oral azithromycin, which has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces reactive oxygen species. Ten weeks after the administration of oral azithromycin, 500 mg per day for 2 weeks, the lesions had mostly disappeared and no specific side effects related to the azithromycin were noted. Oral azithromycin dosing 500 mg/day for 2 weeks is effective for treatment of intractable rosacea.

Keyword

Azithromycin; Rosacea

MeSH Terms

Administration, Oral
Azithromycin/administration & dosage/pharmacology/*therapeutic use
Erythema/diagnosis/drug therapy
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Reactive Oxygen Species
Rosacea/diagnosis/*drug therapy
Skin Diseases/drug therapy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Multiple pinhead to rice-sized erythematous papules, typical features of rosacea, were present on both cheeks.

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  Fig. 2 The patient's skin lesions were not controlled by conventional treatments for rosacea, but rather, were aggravated.

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  Fig. 3 Ten weeks after taking oral azithromycin, the patient's skin lesions had mostly disappeared.

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