Efficacy of 1% terbinafine cream in comparison with 0.75% metronidazole gel for the treatment of papulopustular rosacea

Abstract

Background: Topical antifungals comprising imidazole derivatives have been used for the treatment of rosacea previously, owing to their anti-inflammatory activities. Terbinafine, an antifungal agent belongs to allylamine group, has also anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, there are only a few unpublished studies, in which terbinafine has been used systemically for rosacea treatment.Aims: In this single-blind, 8-week study, we investigated the potential efficacy and safety of terbinafine 1% cream for the treatment of mild and moderate papulopustular rosacea, and compared the results with those of 0.75% metronidazole gel.Patients/methods: Forty patients, 30 females and 10 males, with papulopustular rosacea were enrolled into the study between 2006 and 2007 years. Twenty of the patients were instructed to apply 1% terbinafine cream, whereas others patients of the study population were instructed to use 0.75% metronidazole gel. A total of 32 patients completed the study. Pre-treatment and post-treatment total severity score (TSS) of the disease were determined by assessing the severity of erythema/telangiectasia, and the number of papules/pustules of the whole face. The overall response rates, differences of pre-/post-treatment scores of each criterium and the percentages of the decrease in TSS of the study groups were compared statistically.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age, sex, and disease duration (P = 0.937, 1.000, and 0.055, respectively). No significant difference was found between the mean post-treatment TSSs of the two groups (P = 0.605). The percentage of clearance assessed by the differences between pre-treatment and post-treatment TSSs was 55% in terbinafine group, although the percentage was 45% in metronidazole group, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = 0.496). Local side effects including erythema, pruritus, and burning were mild and transient in both groups, with similar frequencies (P = 0.101).Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that 1% terbinafine cream is an effective and safe treatment for papulopustular rosacea, and can be an option for patients who cannot tolerate other modalities.