Dapsone Gel for Papulopustular Rosacea

Scores and symptoms were similar in a comparison of dapsone gel and metronidazole.

Dapsone gel is used to treat acne. Oral dapsone has been used off-label to treat acne conglobata and rosacea fulminans. It seems reasonable that dapsone gel might help treat papulopustular rosacea, which has similarities to acne, including response to common therapies.

In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, dapsone gel was compared with metronidazole gel in 56 patients with a least five rosacea papules or pustules. Patients received twice-daily applications of dapsone gel 5% or metronidazole gel 0.75%; all also received oral doxycycline 100 mg/day. Assessments were made at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Patients self-assessed severity using a visual analog scale, and researchers counted the number of inflammatory lesions and assi…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)