Oral erythromycin is ineffective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Despite the availability of various medical treatments for pityriasis rosea, a large percentage of patients fail to achieve satisfactory results. Erythromycin is reported to be effective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea.

METHODS:

We designed a placebo-controlled study on 184 patients with pityriasis rosea attending the outpatient dermatology department at Hazrat-e-Rasul Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Adult patients were treated with 200 mg of erythromycin 4 times daily and children were treated with 20 to 40 mg/kg daily in 4 divided doses. Controls were given a placebo (an emollient cream) that was not identical in appearance. Subjects were seen at follow-up visits 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after starting treatment.

RESULTS:

Both groups were comparable with regard to sex, age, and mean duration of disease at the time of attending the clinic. We found no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups at weeks 4, 6, and 8 after beginning of treatment. (p > .05 Chi2).

• Authors: Abbas Rasi, Leila Tajziehchi, Said Savabi-Nasab
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 7 Issue 1 Pg. 35-8 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18246696 (Publication Type: Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Erythromycin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Erythromycin (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Outpatients
• Pityriasis Rosea (drug therapy)
• Sex Factors
• Skin (drug effects, pathology)
• Temperature
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome