Erythromycin When Doxycycline Fails
While doxycycline is a first-line oral treatment for inflammatory rosacea, not everyone responds to or can tolerate it. In these cases, another antibiotic with anti-inflammatory properties, erythromycin, can be considered as an alternative.
Does it work for rosacea?
Yes, there is evidence that erythromycin is effective in treating the papules and pustules (red bumps and spots) of rosacea. It can be a useful option for patients who experience side effects from tetracycline-class antibiotics (like doxycycline or lymecycline) or for whom those medications have proven ineffective.
When is it used and how?
Erythromycin is usually considered as a second line option for patients who cannot take tetracyclines or for whom tetracyclines have not proven effective.
How can I help
I see patients in person in central London. An in person consultation allows me to examine the skin directly including features that are difficult to capture in a photograph such as 3-dimensional changes and textural change. This is the better option where the diagnosis is uncertain, where previous treatment has not been effective, or where a procedure is being considered. For more straightforward conditions such as acne and rosacea a remote consultation with clear photographs can be a good option.
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