Combination therapy for rosacea shows improved response rates

Combining ivermectin cream (IVM) and doxycycline modified-release capsules (DMR) can improve response rates for patients with severe rosacea, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Martin Schaller, M.D., from Tübingen University Hospital in Germany, and colleagues conducted a 12-week multicenter, randomized comparative trial involving adults with severe rosacea. A total of 273 participants were randomly assigned to IVM and DMR (combination arm) and IVM and placebo (monotherapy).

The researchers found that IVM and DMR exhibited superior efficacy in reducing inflammatory lesions compared with monotherapy (−80.3 versus −73.6 percent; P = 0.032) and in the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score (P = 0.032). As of week 4, combination therapy had a faster onset of action; at week 12, significantly more patients achieved IGA 0 (11.9 versus 5.1 percent; P = 0.043) and 100 percent lesion reduction (17.8 versus 7.2 percent; P = 0.006) with combination therapy. The Clinician's Erythema Assessment score, stinging/burning, flushing episodes, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and ocular signs/symptoms were reduced with both treatments, and both treatments were well-tolerated.

"These study results suggest that using a combination of IVM and DMR, each once daily, along with a properly selected skin care regimen, can improve treatment results," the authors write. "Ultimately, overall patient satisfaction was achieved more frequently in those subjects who utilized the combination therapy."

Several authors disclosed ties to pharmaceutical companies, including Galderma, which funded the study and provided the study product.

Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved.