Md. Mokbul Hossain1, A.K.M Mosharrof Hossain2, Syed MM Ali Ahad3,
Begum Lutfun Nahar4, Suprova Das5, Chowdhury Mizanur Rouf6
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, North East Medical College, Sylhet,
2. Professor, Department of Pharamacology, Sylhet M.A.G Osmani Medical College, Sylhet.
3. Professor, Department of Skin and VD, Sylhet M.A.G Osmani Medical College, Sylhet.
4. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College, Sylhet
5. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sylhet Women’s Medical College, Sylhet
6. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Jalalabad Ragib Rabeya Medical College, Sylhet.
Abstract
This study was conducted in the department of Dermatology and Venereology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College and hospital, during the period from January 2010 to December 2010 with a view to find out the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in the treatment of chronic acne vulgaris. Thirty two diagnosed chronic acne vulgaris patients were enrolled and treated with azithromycin 500 mg once daily for 3 consecutive days in a week for 8 weeks. Each patient was followed up fortnightly for 8 weeks of treatment period.
The number of inflammatory lesions (red papules and pustules) on one side of the face was counted at baseline and during every follow-up visits on the basis of establishment of grading criteria for acne severity. The efficacy of azithromycin was assessed by the number of lesion and by the reduction of the percentage of the lesion count in different follow up.
The mean lesion counts at baseline and at the end of treatment were 28.9 ± 11.3 and 7.2 ± 6.6 respectively. The reduction of lesion count from baseline to end point of treatment was significant. The lesion count was 21.2% at 2nd week and significantly decreased to 74.8% at the end of 8th week treatment period. (p<0.001).
After completion of treatment with azithromycin for a period of 8 weeks, the response was found good in 56.2%, moderate in 25%, poor in 15.6% cases and there was no response in 3.1% cases. During the study period patients experienced some forms of adverse effects.
Present study shows that, azithromycin is a safe and effective drug in the treatment of chronic acne vulgaris.
Key words: Azithromycin, chronic Acne vulgaris