Azithromycin: a new therapeutical strategy for acne in adolescents

To study the efficacy, safety, and compliance of 500 mg azithromycin thrice weekly for 8 weeks to treat acne vulgaris in adolescents.

An open-label, non-comparative study was carried out for 8 weeks. Fifty-two teenagers with moderate to severe papulo-pustular acne vulgaris were enrolled. Azithromycin, 500 mg orally thrice weekly for 8 weeks, was prescribed. No topical treatment was permitted. At the baseline visit, patients were scheduled to return at two-weekly intervals for 8 weeks. Efficacy was gauged by the percentage clearance of papulo-pustular acne lesions. All patients were also evaluated at four months post-treatment.

A majority of patients (47/52) showed remarkable improvement in the first 4 weeks with a more than 20 percent reduction of their inflammatory papulo-pustular lesions. Maximum clearance was observed in 32 patients at 8 weeks. Slow improvement with eruptions of new lesions was seen in 6 patients. Adverse events, such as heartburn and nausea, were reported by 3 patients. All patients completed the 8-week study period. The beneficial effect was maintained at 4 months after the conclusion of treatment.

Azithromycin, 500 mg thrice weekly for 8 weeks, appears to be a safe and effective treatment for acne vulgaris in adolescents, with excellent patient compliance.