Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline in the treatment of moderate facial acne.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acne is a common inflammatory skin disorder. Oral antibiotics play a significant clinical role in treating acne.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of doxycycline at antimicrobial and subantimicrobial doses for the treatment of acne.

METHODS:

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was performed. One hundred patients with moderate facial acne were randomized into 2 treatment groups, one receiving a tablet containing 20 mg of doxycycline to be taken twice daily and the other receiving a tablet containing 100 mg of doxycycline and a matching placebo tablet to be taken twice daily.

RESULTS:

Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline administered twice daily for 3 months in patients with moderate inflammatory acne results in significant reduction in the number of total inflammatory lesions. There was an 84% reduction in number of papules and a 90% reduction in number of pustules with treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline is an effective treatment for patients with moderate acne vulgaris.

• Authors: Parviz Toossi, Mehdi Farshchian, Farhad Malekzad, Nahid Mohtasham, Arash Kimyai-Asadi
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 7 Issue 12 Pg. 1149-52 (Dec 2008) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19137768 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Doxycycline

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (drug therapy)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Doxycycline (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Severity of Illness Index
• Young Adult