A Comparative Study on Efficacy of Oral Azithromycin and Oral Minocycline for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

Acne vulgaris is a prevalent skin condition that mostly affects teenagers and young adults. Because the treatment involves long-term antibiotic therapy, an agent with a long half-life can be highly effective in improving compliance. A prospective, randomized, open-label, comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a pulse dose of azithromycin and compare it with daily dose of minocycline for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Our study included 100 patients with moderate-to-moderately severe acne vulgaris (Grade II and III). We examined the patients (first visit). Patients were randomized to one of two therapy groups: Group A received 50mg minocycline orally once a day, while Group B were given 500mg azithromycin orally once a day for three days in a week. Both groups were instructed to apply 2.5% topical benzoyl peroxide gel at night as well. The treatment lasted three weeks in total. After three weeks, all of the patients were examined (second visit). Among 100 diagnosed patients, 36 were male and 64 were female. They aged between 15 and 25 years. Group A (minocycline group) had 20 males and 30 females, while the group B (azithromycin group) had 16 males and 34 females. Group A had a mean age of 19.33 years, while group B had a mean age of 19.47 years. In group A, lesional count was reduced by 66.7% for inflammatory papules and 39.1% for non-inflammatory papules. In group B, lesional count got reduced by 53.8% for inflammatory papules and 37.5% for non-inflammatory papules. Reduction in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions was statistically significant in both therapy groups, as indicated by the first and second (follow-up) visits (P<0.001). However, when we compared between group A and group B, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No adverse reactions were reported by the patients. Both minocycline and azithromycin were equally effective and safe for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Mugda Med Coll J. 2025; 8(1): 13-16