A comparison of topical azelaic acid 20% cream and topical metronidazole 0.75% cream in the treatment of patients with papulopustular rosacea☆,☆☆,★
Section snippets
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This study was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, contralateral, split-face comparison of topical azelaic acid 20% cream (Allergan, Inc.) and topical metronidazole 0.75% cream (Galderma Canada, Inc.) in patients with papulopustular rosacea. Study medications were randomly assigned to either side of the face (ie, azelaic acid cream on one side of the face and metronidazole cream on the other side) and were applied twice daily for 15 weeks. Study visits occurred at baseline (week 0) and
RESULTS
A total of 40 white patients were enrolled into the study, of which 37 completed 15 weeks of treatment. A summary of patient demographics is provided in Table I.
Empty Cell Male Female No. 11 29 Mean age (y) (range) 52.2 (26-75) 49.6 (34-69) Rosacea duration (y) < 1 0.0% 0.0% 1-2 0.0% 6.9% 3-5 36.4% 24.1% 6-10 18.2% 20.7% > 10 45.4% 48.3%
DISCUSSION
This is the first published comparative study of azelaic acid cream and metronidazole cream in patients with rosacea. Results demonstrate that these medications are equally effective in reducing the number of inflammatory lesions and associated signs and symptoms of rosacea. However, the physician rating of global improvement was significantly more favorable for azelaic acid than metronidazole.
Provided that study patients present with symmetric disease, split-face comparative studies offer the
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2020, Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy, Fourth EditionMedical Management of Facial Redness in Rosacea
2018, Dermatologic ClinicsA Review of the Current Modalities for the Treatment of Papulopustular Rosacea
2018, Dermatologic ClinicsRosacea: Update
2015, PielAssessment of rosacea severity: A review of evaluation methods used in clinical trials
2015, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
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Supported by a grant provided by Allergan, Inc.
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Reprint requests: Stuart Maddin, MD, FRCPC, University of British Columbia, Division of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Skin Care Centre, 835 W 10th Ave, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E8, Canada.
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