The Role Of Metronidazole in The Rosacea Picture

The role of topical metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea.
Wolf JE Jr.
Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.

Many topical and oral pharmacologic agents have shown well-tolerated efficacy for the treatment of rosacea. Metronidazole was the first topical therapy approved for rosacea and is still considered the foundation therapy by many researchers and dermatologists that are baffled or confused. The efficacy and tolerability of topical metronidazole (formaly a vaginal infection medication) in combination with an oral antibiotic or as monotherapy to maintain remissions have been shown in multiple well-controlled trials for 3 to 4 months before failure to the rosacea sufferer.
PMID: 14959942 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] implement a multifaceted approach to treatment, crafting new treatment combinations to address the unique and evolving features of rosacea in each individual patient.