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Efficacy of tetracyclines in the treatment of acne vulgaris:a reviewT. Simonart, M. Dramaix* and V. De Maertelaer
Department of Dermatology, Erasme University Hospital, 808 Route de Lennik, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium*Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Universite´ Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, IRIBHM, Universite´ Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
Background Oral tetracyclines are routinely used for the management of inflamma-
tory acne. However, there is a lack of evidence-based data on their relative effec-
tiveness and appropriate dosages. Objectives To assess the relative effectiveness and the optimal dosage of tetracyclines
for the treatment of inflammatory acne.
Methods We designed a systematic review of the clinical trials (1962–2006) inves-
tigating oral tetracyclines for the treatment of inflammatory acne. We obtained
data from MEDLINE, PubMed, Current Contents, reference lists and specialisttextbooks.
Results There was substantial heterogeneity in the design of the trials. We identi-
fied only seven randomized trials which were set up to compare the efficacy oftetracyclines in reducing acne lesion counts. These showed no evidence of superi-ority of one tetracycline over another. Overall, there was also no significantdifference between the available tetracyclines in terms of improvement in inflam-matory (32 trials, P = 0Æ898) and noninflammatory (23 trials, P = 0Æ429)lesions. In the range of investigated dosages, the antibiotic dosage had no impacton efficacy in inflammatory (P = 0Æ609) and noninflammatory (P = 0Æ654)lesions. There was no decrease in efficacy during the study period. Conclusions There is insufficient evidence to support one tetracycline rather thananother in terms of efficacy. In the range of investigated dosages, the antibioticdosage seems to have no impact on efficacy. Despite increased resistance to anti-biotics, oral tetracycline formulations displayed no change in efficacy duringthe study period. Further studies are, however, required to determine if the anti-inflammatory properties of tetracyclines are sufficient in managing acne.
Oral tetracyclines are indicated for the management of moder-
by climate (for example doxycycline, known to have the
ate and severe acne, acne that is resistant to topical treatment,
potential to cause dose-dependent photosensitivity, is less
and acne that covers large parts of the body surface.1–3
commonly prescribed in southern Europe), by various phar-
Despite major concerns over antibiotic-resistant acne in Eur-
macoeconomic considerations, and by the lack of evidence-
ope and in the U.S.A.,4,5 tetracyclines continue to play an
based data on efficacy.1 It has previously been suggested that
integral role in the management of acne1–4 and are considered
the beneficial effect of tetracycline is due to the inhibition of
as the first-line oral antibiotic therapy in acne.4,6 The most
Propionibacterium acnes accompanied by a reduction in sebum free
commonly prescribed tetracyclines are first-generation cyclines
fatty acids and extracellular lipases. However, the effect of tetra-
(tetracycline HCl and oxytetracycline) and second-generation
cyclines on acne may be due not only to an antimicrobial
cyclines (doxycycline, minocycline and lymecycline).1 Sec-
effect but also to their ability to reduce neutrophil chemo-
ond-generation cyclines have a better pharmacokinetic profile,
taxis as well as on their inhibitory effect on cytokines and
which has been thought to be associated with increased anti-
matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9.7 Based on this contention,
acne efficacy, but are more expensive.1 The preferred choice
recent studies have shown that subantimicrobial-dose doxy-
of cyclines varies greatly from physician to physician and
cycline (40 mg daily) reduced the number of both inflamma-
from country to country, which may be partly accounted for
tory and noninflammatory lesions in patients with moderate
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al. 209
acne.8,9 No detectable antimicrobial effect on the skin flora
quality indicators: year of publication or completion; and
percentage of subjects not evaluated after treatment. Wher-
Thus, although oral tetracyclines are one of the cornerstones
ever possible, ‘intention-to-treat’ data were used in the analy-
of acne management, several questions remain unanswered
sis. Possible relationships between the duration of treatment
(e.g. regarding the most efficient tetracycline, the optimal
and the year of publication, and between the dosage and the
dose of antibiotic, the optimal duration of treatment). Given
year of publication, were investigated with Spearman’s cor-
the high number of patients with acne treated with antibiotics,
relation coefficients (rs) based on all (inflammatory and non-
it is surprising that so little effort has been expended by clini-
inflammatory) lesions. The efficacy of the treatment as
cians, researchers, regulatory authorities and drug companies
expressed by the proportion of reduction in inflammatory
in determining guidelines for the use of tetracyclines in acne.
and noninflammatory lesion counts was compared between
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on
the four groups of cyclines with Kruskal–Wallis tests. Possible
the efficacy of first-generation cyclines, doxycycline, mino-
relationships between the efficacy of the treatment and the
cycline and lymecycline in the treatment of moderate to severe
mean dose, treatment duration and year of publication were
investigated with the use of a multiple regression (enter pro-cedure) for inflammatory lesions and for noninflammatory
A systematic electronic search strategy was used to retrieve all
clinical trials investigating therapy with oral tetracyclines forinflammatory acne published between 1962 and March 2006.
The following bibliographic databases were searched: MED-
tetracycline treatment efficacy in inflammatory acne,11–58
LINE (National Library of Medecine), PubMed (National
Library of Medicine) and Current Contents. Selected key words
efficacy,28,37,39,45,46,54,58–80 10 trials investigating doxycycline
were: acne (vulgaris), antibiotic, treatment, tetracycline, oxy-
systemic treatment efficacy8,9,20,62,68,69,81–84 and seven trials
tetracycline, minocycline, lymecycline, doxycycline and clini-
investigating lymecycline systemic treatment efficacy,77,80,85–89
cal trial. Other sources were textbooks and the reference list
57 of which were included.8,9,12,14,16,17,19–21,23,25–38,41,42,44–
52,54,56–58,62,66,69,71,72,75–81,83–88 Trials were excluded for thefollowing reasons: combination with other topical or systemicdrug with antiacne efficacy,18,53,55,64,68,73,74,82,89 use of obso-
Study selection: inclusion and exclusion criteria
lete drugs,11,15,22 antibiotic treatment < 1 month prior to
We considered all clinical trials investigating the clinical effi-
the study or selection of cases unresponsive to other anti-
cacy of oral tetracyclines (oxytetracycline, lymecycline, doxy-
biotics,24,53,59,61,63,67,74 duplicate reports,70 specific forms
cycline and minocycline) in patients with mild to moderate
of acne (nodulocystic acne,43,65 oil acne40), cross-over
inflammatory acne. Excluded were duplicate trials, trials on
severe nodulocystic acne or on other specific forms of acne,studies that reported on fewer than six patients, studies on
obsolete drugs (demeclocycline), studies investigating theeffect of antibiotics in combination with other therapies (topi-
A huge profusion of outcome measures has been reported,
cal retinoids, topical antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic
including various acne grade ⁄ severity scores, as well as doc-
acid, salicylic acid, isotretinoin, hormones) or after failure of
tor’s and patient’s global assessments (Table 1), reflecting the
another antibiotic therapy, split-face design studies and studies
difficulties in defining which objective features best reflect
with insufficient data on effectiveness or with no quantitative
treatment efficacy. The most commonly reported objective
methods of measurement. Studies published in non-English
outcome measures were decrease in inflammatory lesions and
languages for which a published English translation was not
decrease in noninflammatory lesions (Table 1). Lesion count
available were excluded. In case of double publications, the
was also the only objective outcome measure reported in
most elaborate publication was selected.
older81 and more recent studies,83,84 making comparisonacross clinical trials possible. Of the 57 eligible controlled tri-als identified in this study, 35 (61%) incorporated a lesion
count. Thirty-two trials incorporated an inflammatory lesion
We extracted information on factors that we hypothesized a
(papules + pustules) count and 23 trials incorporated a
priori to be potential sources of treatment effect variation.
noninflammatory lesion count. There were 22 double-blind
Those included the dosage and the duration of treatment.
studies,28–30,34–36,41,42,44,47,48,50,52,56,58,69,72,
Instead of using quality scoring, which has well-described
three placebo-controlled trials,8,9,81 six single-
methodological shortcomings,10 we examined the following
blind trials38,66,75,83,84,86 and three open trials.45,76,78 Studies
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
210 Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al.
Table 1 Outcome measures used in clinical trials investigating systemic tetracyclines for acne
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al. 211
evaluating the effect of tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline
for doxycycline (between 40 and 200 mg), for which some
and lymecycline are summarized in Tables 2–5, respectively.
trials investigated the effect of subantimicrobial doses of anti-
Several studies were not considered because they included no
biotics.8,9 The most commonly used dosages were 500 mg for
reproducible assessment of efficacy or no quantitative data on
first-generation tetracyclines (eight of 18 trials), 100 mg for
lesion count.12,14,16,17,19–21,23,25–27,32,33,37,46,49,51,54,57,62,71,76,85
minocycline (10 of 13 trials) and 300 mg for lymecycline(three of five trials). An increase in antibiotic dosage overtime was observed for the first-generation tetracyclines
(n = 17, rs = 0Æ733, P = 0Æ001), but not for doxycycline
The duration of treatment varied between 829,34,36,38,42 and
(n = 6, rs = )0Æ334, P = 0Æ518), minocycline (n = 14, rs =
2444 weeks for first-generation tetracylines, between 481 and
)0Æ246, P = 0Æ397) or lymecycline (n = 7, rs = )0Æ100,
248 weeks for doxycycline, between 678 and 2466 weeks for
minocycline and was 12 weeks in all trials on lyme-
Relatively few studies investigated the effect of antibiotic
cycline77,80,86–88 (Tables 2–5). The most common trial dura-
dosage on efficacy. One double-blind, placebo-controlled
tion was 12 weeks (39% of the studies for tetracycline, 50%
study showed that subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline (20 mg
of the studies for doxycycline, 69% of the studies for mino-
taken twice daily) significantly reduced the number of inflam-
cycline and 100% of the studies for lymecycline). The median
matory and noninflammatory lesions in patients with inflam-
study duration was the same (12 weeks) for all investigated
matory acne.8 One double-blind study found that minocycline
antibiotics. There was no significant change in study duration
100 ⁄ 50 mg was superior for the treatment of inflammatory
over time (n = 45, rs = 0Æ273, P = 0Æ070).
acne than minocycline 50 mg.80 A dose–response analysis ofpooled data showed no significant effect of drug dosage onefficacy either for inflammatory lesions (n = 32, r
P = 0Æ609) or for noninflammatory lesions (n = 23, rs =
Because the drug dosage varied over the study period in some
trials (i.e. higher doses during the first weeks and then lowerdoses), we considered the mean drug dosage over the study
period. The mean drug dosage varied from 375 to 1000 mgdaily for first-generation tetracyclines, between 50 and
There are very few randomized trials that were set up to com-
100 mg daily for minocycline, and between 150 and 300 mg
pare one tetracycline against another. We identified three ran-
daily for lymecycline. Higher dosage variations were observed
domized trials that compared tetracycline with minocycline
Table 2 Summary of trials evaluating the effect of tetracycline
aData extrapolated from graphs. NR, not reported.
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
212 Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al.
Table 3 Summary of trials evaluating the effect of minocycline
aData extrapolated from graphs. NR, not reported.
Table 4 Summary of trials evaluating the effect of doxycycline
aData extrapolated from graphs. NR, not reported.
Table 5 Summary of trials evaluating the effect of lymecycline
and that included lesion counts.28,45,58 The minocycline dos-
twice daily,28 with tetracycline at a dose of 500 mg twice
age was the same in those three trials (50 mg twice daily)
daily58 or with tetracycline at an unspecified dose.45 Two tri-
and was compared with tetracycline at a dose of 250 mg
als found no statistically significant differences between the
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al. 213
two therapies,28,58 while the other found minocycline to be
superior.45 This study was, however, conducted under openconditions and several methodological flaws can be identified
The aim of this study was systematically to review the results
(tetracycline dosage not specified, absence of information on
of clinical trials investigating oral tetracyclines for the treat-
dropouts, absence of measure of statistical dispersion, variable
ment of inflammatory acne and to determine the relative
assessment intervals). Three other trials, including no lesion
effectiveness and the optimal dosage of these antibiotics. To
counts but grade ⁄ severity scores,37,46,57 also failed to demon-
evaluate the efficacy of a therapy is difficult because the inter-
strate the superiority of minocycline over tetracyline. Mino-
pretation of the results is dependent on comparison of data
cycline was compared with lymecycline in three trials.
from many different sources, and is hindered by wide varia-
Minocycline at a mean dosage of 50 mg,80 58 mg,77 66 mg80
tions in trial methodology. Several methods of efficacy assess-
or 100 mg86 over 12 weeks was compared with lymecycline
ment, including various grades ⁄ scoring systems, have been
at a dose of 175 (mean)77 or 300 mg80,86 over 12 weeks.
reported for the past 30 years. Of the reproducible outcome
One large multicentre, randomized, double-blind trial77 and
measures identified in this review, lesion count has been most
one randomized, single-blind86 trial found that the efficacy
widely employed and tested over the past 30 years. Of the 57
of minocycline (mean dosage over 12 weeks: 58 mg77 or
eligible studies investigating oral tetracyclines in acne patients,
100 mg86) and lymecycline (mean dosage over 12 weeks:
61% included a lesion count. The advantage of this outcome
measure is that it has been used almost consistently across old
Another randomized, double-blind study80 found that mino-
and recent studies, making comparison across trials possible.
cycline 100 mg for 4 weeks followed by 50 mg for 8 weeks
Variation in duration of the trials and assessment of the effi-
was superior to minocycline 50 mg for 12 weeks or lyme-
cacy by physicians at different time points may be another
cycline 300 mg for 12 weeks in reducing the number of pap-
factor hindering evidence-based practice. Most studies used
ules, while no other clinically relevant between-treatment
end points ranging from 8 to 12 weeks, which appears con-
differences in lesion counts were present. Minocycline was
sequent with the observation that the clinical effect of oral
compared with comparable doses of doxycycline in one
antibiotics typically requires 4–8 weeks.91 Although longer
double-blind, double-dummy, randomized study [66 mg
administration periods do not seem to be associated with
(mean) for 12 weeks].69 Both drugs were found to be equally
higher clinical efficacy, our results were adjusted for this
effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris.69
The effect of cyclines on lesion count decrease has been
Analogously, variation in antibiotic dosage across trials is
analysed in a number of clinical trials that were not set up to
another source of bias and inaccuracy. There is no consensus
compare one tetracycline against another, making further
on the optimal dosing of oral antibiotics in acne.91 The mean
comparisons across trials possible (Tables 2–5). Overall, there
drug dosage varied from 375 to 1000 mg daily for first-gen-
was no significant difference between the available tetra-
eration tetracyclines, between 50 and 100 mg daily for mino-
cyclines in terms of efficacy in inflammatory (P = 0Æ898) and
cycline, and between 150 and 300 mg daily for lymecycline.
noninflammatory lesion count (P = 0Æ429).
This study demonstrates that, within the range of the studied
Neither the duration of the assessment, nor the drug dos-
antibiotic dosages, low doses of cyclines were as efficient as
age nor the year of publication had an impact on inflam-
higher doses. This is in line with previous studies sugges-
matory lesions (n = 32, multiple R = 0Æ139, P = 0Æ907) or
ting that the beneficial effect of tetracyclines in patients with
acne may be partly due to nonantimicrobial properties of
P = 0Æ279). For inflammatory lesions, the partial correlation
coefficients were: r = )0Æ006 (P = 0Æ976) for the duration
showed that subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline resulted in
a > 50% reduction in the number of acne lesions. Treat-
r = 0Æ106 (P = 0Æ575) for the year of publication. For non-
ment with subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline had no effect on
inflammatory lesions, the partial correlation coefficients were:
P. acnes or other microflora of the skin. It has been suggested
r = )0Æ398 (P = 0Æ074) for the duration of treatment,
that this antiacne effect of subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline
r = 0Æ209 (P = 0Æ363) for the dosage, r = )0Æ042 (P =
may be due its ability to reduce neutrophil chemotaxis as well
0Æ843) for the year of publication.
as on its inhibitory effect on cytokines and MMP-9.7
We also found that, despite dissemination of cross-resistant
strains of propionibacteria,4 oral tetracycline formulations dis-
played no change in efficacy during the study period. These
A possible bias in the interpretation of the results could have
results are in opposition with those found for topical ery-
been a change in efficacy over time, as described for topical
thromycin formulations,90 and may be explained by lower
erythromycin.90 By contrast to topical erythromycin,90 oral
resistance rates to orally administered tetracyclines or by non-
tetracycline formulations displayed no change in efficacy dur-
antimicrobial properties of cyclines.
There is a lack of evidence in the literature over the relative
rs = )0Æ076, P = 0Æ674; noninflammatory lesions (n = 24),
effectiveness of tetracyclines. Second-generation tetracyclines
are known to have a better pharmacokinetic profile than
Journal Compilation Ó 2007 British Association of Dermatologists • British Journal of Dermatology 2008 158, pp208–216
214 Acne and tetracyclines, T. Simonart et al.
first-generation tetracyclines.93,94 Minocycline has also greater
For this reason, it is difficult to extrapolate data from one
antimicrobial effects on P. acnes than first-generation tetracy-
country to another. From this perspective, only first-genera-
clines and doxycycline, and higher lipid solubility,94 favouring
tion tetracyclines appear to be unequivocally cheaper than the
its bioavailability in pilosebaceous units. However, very few
randomized trials have been set up to compare the efficacy of
Overall, there is insufficient evidence to support one tetra-
tetracyclines in lesion count reduction. Those trials focused on
cycline rather than another in terms of efficacy. Thus, the
the comparison of minocycline with tetracycline or with other
choice of tetracycline for acne should be based on criteria
second-generation tetracyclines. Of the seven comparative ran-
other than efficacy, such as cost and safety profile. In the
domized trials included, six found no difference in lesion
range of investigated dosages, the antibiotic dosage seems to
count reduction. We then analysed the effect of tetracyclines
have no impact on efficacy. Despite dissemination of cross-
on lesion count reduction in trials that were not set up to
resistant strains of propionibacteria, oral tetracycline formula-
compare one tetracycline against another. Overall, this con-
tions also displayed no change in efficacy during the study
firms that, on the basis of reduction in lesion counts, all tetra-
period. Further studies are, however, required to determine if
cyclines appear to be similarly effective. In particular, second-
the anti-inflammatory properties of tetracyclines are sufficient
generation cyclines, which are the most expensive regimens
and have replaced tetracycline as first-line antiacne antibioticsin many countries,2 were not found to be superior to first-
generation tetracyclines. When comparing trials both withinand across tetracycline class, the summary estimates often
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Psicothema 2008. Vol. 20, nº 4, pp. 812-817 Chronic sildenafil (Viagra) administration reduces anxiety in intact and castrated male rats Abdel A. Solís, José A. Bethancourt* and Gabrielle B. Britton*Universidad de Salamanca and * Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta TecnologíaEpidemiological research indicates that sildenafil (Viagra) abuse is associated with i
Crisis Management SDRAN PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT Crisis Management Thursday, July 26, 2007 Location : Favrille (directions at end of this message) 10445 Pacific Center Court, Conference Room M Speakers: Joyce Williams, MBA, RAC Del Stagg, PhD Brian Donato, JD Moderator: Laura Guy, MS, RAC Regulatory Liaisons, Principal Regulatory and Quality Consultant