The Effectiveness of Metrogel in the Treatment of Rosacea
The most commonly used agent in the treatment of rosacea is Metrogel (metronidazole). The following adverse experiences have been reported with the topical use of metronidazole: burning, skin irritation, dryness, transient redness, metallic taste, tingling or numbness of extremities and nausea.
The mechanisms by which METROGEL® (metronidazole topical gel) Topical Gel acts in the treatment of rosacea are unknown, but appear to include an anti-inflammatory effect.
Metrogel (by Galderma) is the rosacea medication that has been on the market the longest (about 10 years). It comes in 0.75% concentration. Not too long ago, the same company came out with Metrocream 0.75% which is more moisturizing. The recommended dosage for both is twice a day. Noritate Cream (by Dermik) is a newer medicatio which comes in 1% concentration. Its dosage is once a day. All 3 have the same active ingredient - metronidazole (generic). The gel is liked by those with oily skin while the cream is preferred by those with dry skin and seems to go better with makeup.
These topicals are very effective in mild cases, and are usually able to reduce some of the superficial symptoms in moderate to severe cases. However, while patients are often grateful for reduced symptoms, it must be stressed that topical metronidazole does not treat the heart of the vascular disorder and does not result in clearance of rosacea and facial flushing.
In fact, there are numerous medical reports suggesting that rosacea sufferers in the moderate to severe stages may only experience minor improvements while on topical metronidazole, or may not respond at all.
In a recent clinical article, topical metronidazolewas found to be ineffective in the treatment of 20 different rosacea sufferers. In a review of 27 rosacea patients, oral antibioticsand topical metronidazole were not effective in treating the vascular heart of the disorder such as facial redness, inflammation,flushing, and telangiectasia. Consistent with the above, Dr. Grousshansstates, "Tetracycline and metronidazole are very useful for therapy,but they only influence the cutaneous and ocular complications and do not act upon the basic vascular trouble."
In a 1999 medical review, Dr. Larry Millikan, aDermatologist at the Department of Dermatology, Tulane UniversityMedical School, emphasizes, "Metronidazole has been the most extensively studied therapy for rosacea, but not all patients show a response to it." Several medical reports indicate that topical metronidazole is effective for superficial papules and pustules, but is not effective on the facial flushing, redness, or telangiectasia that are key to rosacea. Two in-depth case reports documented that these rosacea sufferers did not respond at all to topical metronidazole. Other experts have documented that topical metronidazole is not effective at reducing facial flushing or telangiectasia, and is only mildly effective at decreasing redness in some rosacea sufferers.
The mechanisms by which METROGEL® (metronidazole topical gel) Topical Gel acts in the treatment of rosacea are unknown, but appear to include an anti-inflammatory effect.
Metrogel (by Galderma) is the rosacea medication that has been on the market the longest (about 10 years). It comes in 0.75% concentration. Not too long ago, the same company came out with Metrocream 0.75% which is more moisturizing. The recommended dosage for both is twice a day. Noritate Cream (by Dermik) is a newer medicatio which comes in 1% concentration. Its dosage is once a day. All 3 have the same active ingredient - metronidazole (generic). The gel is liked by those with oily skin while the cream is preferred by those with dry skin and seems to go better with makeup.
These topicals are very effective in mild cases, and are usually able to reduce some of the superficial symptoms in moderate to severe cases. However, while patients are often grateful for reduced symptoms, it must be stressed that topical metronidazole does not treat the heart of the vascular disorder and does not result in clearance of rosacea and facial flushing.
In fact, there are numerous medical reports suggesting that rosacea sufferers in the moderate to severe stages may only experience minor improvements while on topical metronidazole, or may not respond at all.
In a recent clinical article, topical metronidazolewas found to be ineffective in the treatment of 20 different rosacea sufferers. In a review of 27 rosacea patients, oral antibioticsand topical metronidazole were not effective in treating the vascular heart of the disorder such as facial redness, inflammation,flushing, and telangiectasia. Consistent with the above, Dr. Grousshansstates, "Tetracycline and metronidazole are very useful for therapy,but they only influence the cutaneous and ocular complications and do not act upon the basic vascular trouble."
In a 1999 medical review, Dr. Larry Millikan, aDermatologist at the Department of Dermatology, Tulane UniversityMedical School, emphasizes, "Metronidazole has been the most extensively studied therapy for rosacea, but not all patients show a response to it." Several medical reports indicate that topical metronidazole is effective for superficial papules and pustules, but is not effective on the facial flushing, redness, or telangiectasia that are key to rosacea. Two in-depth case reports documented that these rosacea sufferers did not respond at all to topical metronidazole. Other experts have documented that topical metronidazole is not effective at reducing facial flushing or telangiectasia, and is only mildly effective at decreasing redness in some rosacea sufferers.
posted by Madison at 6:40 AM
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