using metrogel in between IPL treatments

Written by David Pascoe on March 8, 2006 in IPL, Metrogel 1% with 0 Comments

Intermittent pulsed light therapy in combination with metronidazole 1% gel for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate rosacea: A pilot study

Michael Gold, MD, Gold Skin Care Center, Tennessee Clinical Research Center, Nashville, TN, United States

Rosacea is a common dermatologic disorder characterized by the presence of facial erythema, visible blood vessels, and acneiform papules and pustules. With the face being the predominant site of involvement, this disease is often associated with serious psychosocial morbidity and can significantly impact quality of life. Metronidazole is a topical medication indicated for the treatment of rosacea whose efficacy has been confirmed in many controlled clinical trials. Recently, metronidazole was made available in a new gel formulation at a higher concentration (1% metronidazole). This new formulation has been shown to be well tolerated and nonirritating despite the higher concentration of metronidazole. Intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy over the past 15 years has also shown good results in case studies for the treatment of erythema and telangiectasia in rosacea patients. To enhance treatment efficacy in roscaea, IPL is being investigated in combination with pharmacologic agents. We present several case studies of patients with mild to moderate rosacea who were treated with IPL followed by once-daily metronidazole 1% gel for a period of 8 weeks. Assessments included investigator’s global assessment of rosacea severity, investigator’s assessment of rosacea improvement, and tolerability/adverse events. Photographs were taken at each visit and will be presented with discussion of results.

Author disclosure: Nothing disclosed at press time. Study and poster support provided by Galderma Laboratories, L.P.

Poster Discussion Session P574, American Academy of Dermatology, 64th Annual Meeting, March 3-7 2006, San Francisco.

Supplement to Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology, March 2006, Volume 54, Number 3.