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Re: Rubra Faceii and oral drugs
Keratosis Pilaris

From: Kim
Remote Name: 198.81.26.108
Date: 01 Sep 2002
Time: 03:24:41 -0400

Comments

Ryan- I looked up tetracycline for you and I can only assume that your derm is using to treat your symptoms that are simiar to rosacea (ie the redness). Below is what I found, sorry it may not be much help. Also, I have red that if you are taing tetracycline long term, your doctor should have liver, kidney, and blood tests done from time to time. Again, that is only for long term usage. It is supposedly safe (from what I have read) as long as you are not under 8, breastfeeding or pregnant. And I think it is safe to assume you are 0 and 3 on that! :0) just trying to make you laugh :0) You better be going out this weekend and having fun....or else!! Although its mechanism of action is not clearly understood, the mainstay of treatment is the use of oral tetracycline, especially for the papular or pustular lesions (38-40). The dosage utilized is generally 250 mg every 6 hours for the first 3 to 4 weeks, followed by tapering based on clinical response. Doxycycline and minocycline (50-100 mg every 12 hours) are also effective and have the advantage of less frequent dosage and less concern over problems with gastrointestinal absorption. Patients who are intolerant to the tetracyclines may benefit from the use of erythromycin. Oral isotretinoin, in doses similar to those used for acne vulgaris, has also been effective for the inflammatory lesions, erythema, and rhinophyma (41,42). There is, however, no beneficial effect on the telangiectasias and isotretinoin may cause blepharitis and conjunctivitis (43). Other oral agents that have been used include ampicillin and metronidazole. Clonidine may also be of some value in reducing facial flushing (44). Topical therapy is generally less successful than systemic treatment. Metronidazole may be effective topically (45,46). It is available commercially as a 0.75% gel and, when applied twice daily, substantially reduces inflammatory lesions (47). Although topical corticosteroids may effectively improve signs and symptoms, long-term therapy is not advisable since it may cause atrophy, chronic vasodilation, and telangiectasia formation (48).