Efficacy and safety of Oral Azithromycin in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Efficacy and safety of Oral Azithromycin in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Authors

  • Shama Ahmad
  • Shahbaz Aman
  • Muhammad Nadeem
  • Atif Hasnain Kazmi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v17i4.582

Abstract

Abstract

Background:  Acne is a very common skin disorder in our society. Azithromycin, an oral macrolide, has been found to be a new treatment for this disease.

Objective:  To assess the efficacy and safety of alter-nate day oral azithromycin 500 mg in the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris.

Design:  A quasi - experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study:  The study was con-ducted at the Department of Dermatology, Unit - I, KEMU / Mayo Hospital, Lahore, during the six mon-ths period from 11th April to 10th October, 2009.

Subjects and Methods:  One hundred and twenty patients of acne vulgaris were enrolled and baseline lesions were recorded. All patients were advised to take azithromycin 500 mg thrice a week orally for a period of 8 weeks after which they were followed up for the next 8 weeks at 2 weeks interval. The mean facial lesion count at baseline and after 8 weeks thera-py was performed in all the cases. The treatment was considered excellent if there was clearance of >80% of lesions, good at 50 - 80% clearance and poor if there was clearance of < 50% of lesions. The safety of treat-ment administered was assessed on the basis of local or systemic side effects of the drug.

Results:  Out of 120 evaluable patients, there were 53 males and 67 females. Mean age of the patients was 21.2 ± 4.1 years. The mean facial lesion count after 8 weeks therapy was much reduced. The treatment reve-aled an excellent response in 79 (66%) patients, good in 31 (26%) and poor in 10 (8%) cases. Azithromycin was well tolerated by all the patients.

Conclusion:  Azithromycin 500mg thrice weekly for 8 weeks is found to be an effective and safe treatment for acne vulgaris.

Key Words:  Acne, vulgaris, azithromycin, macrolide.

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How to Cite

Ahmad, S., Aman, S., Nadeem, M., & Kazmi, A. H. (2012). Efficacy and safety of Oral Azithromycin in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris. Annals of King Edward Medical University, 17(4), 437. https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v17i4.582

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