An open trial of oral macrolide treatment for psoriasis vulgaris

J Dermatol. 2000 Aug;27(8):508-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2000.tb02217.x.

Abstract

Seventeen patients were included in a clinical open trial of macrolides for treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. PASI scores, itch and ointment scores were used to evaluate their effectiveness. PASI scores dropped from 22.8 to 13.7; this was statistically significant. Itch reduced in 11 out of 13 patients, and the extent of itch reduced significantly by 54% on average. Ointment scores reduced from 44.9 to 34.4, which was also statistically significant. Macrolides are known not only as potent anti-biotics, but also as immunomodulatory agents. These data suggest that macrolides could be used as one of the adjunctive therapies of psoriasis vulgaris, and this study is a first step toward the future evaluation of macrolides in a double blind trial.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clarithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Clarithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Erythromycin / administration & dosage
  • Erythromycin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ointments
  • Pruritus / drug therapy
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy*
  • Roxithromycin / administration & dosage
  • Roxithromycin / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ointments
  • Roxithromycin
  • Erythromycin
  • Clarithromycin