Efficacy of clarithromycin in pityriasis rosea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the efficacy of clarithromycin in the treatment of Pityriasis Rosea (PR).

STUDY DESIGN:

Double blind randomized controlled trial.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:

Dermatology OPD, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, from July 2008 to July 2009.

METHODOLOGY:

Patients aged above 10 years, diagnosed with PR, were randomly assigned to two groups of 30 each to receive either clarithromycin or similar-looking placebo for one week. Neither the patient nor the treating physician knew to which group the patient belonged. Patients were assessed at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after presentation and compared for complete, partial or no response.

RESULTS:

Among the 60 patients, no significant difference was found between the two groups at 2 weeks after presentation (p = 0.598). In the placebo group, complete response was seen in 20 (66.7%), partial response in 3 (10.0%) while no response was seen in 7 (23.3%). In clarithromycin group, there was complete response in 23 (76.7%), partial response in 3 (10.0%) and no response in 4 (13.3%) patients.

CONCLUSION:

Clarithromycin is not effective in treatment of pityriasis rosea.

• Authors: Najia Ahmed, Nadia Iftikhar, Uzma Bashir, Syed Dilawar Abbas Rizvi, Zafar Iqbal Sheikh, Amir Manzur
• Journal: Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP (J Coll Physicians Surg Pak) Vol. 24 Issue 11 Pg. 802-5 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1681-7168 [Electronic] Pakistan
• PMID: 25404436 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Clarithromycin

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Clarithromycin (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Pityriasis Rosea (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome