The Treatment of Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea: A Novel Approach

A supplement to Skin & Allergy News supported by an unrestricted educational grant from CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. This supplement was developed from presentations given at a continuing medical education program held at the 2nd Annual Caribbean Dermatology Symposium in Puerto Rico.

•Contents
•Target Audience
•Educational Needs
•Learning Objectives
•CME Recognition

To view the supplement, click the image above. To take the CME test, download and print out the PDF file, and follow the test instructions on page 4.

Contents

Inflammation in Acne, Rosacea Responds to Low-Dose Antibiotics
Guy Webster, MD, PhD
Professor and Vice-Chairman
Department of Dermatology
Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine
Philadelphia
Dr. Webster has received funding for clinical grants from CollaGenex, Stiefel Laboratories, Allergan Inc., and Connetics Corporation. He has also been a consultant for CollaGenex. He discusses the unlabeled use of tetracyclines as anti-inflammatory drugs.

Adverse Side Effects Rare with Subantimicrobial Doses of Some Antibiotics
Joseph F. Fowler, Jr., MD
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, K.Y.
Dr. Fowler has performed funded clinical research studies and is a consultant for CollaGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. He discusses the unlabeled use of doxycycline for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea.

Rosacea Inflammation Controlled with Novel Monotherapy
Jorge L. Sanchez, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Dermatology
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
San Juan
Dr. Sanchez has received a clinical grant from CollaGenex. He discusses the unlabeled use of doxycycline for the treatment of rosacea.

Target Audience

Physicians and other clinicians who specialize in dermatology.

Educational Needs

Dermatologists are familiar with the treatment challenges posed by acne vulgaris and rosacea. Inflammation is an important part of the pathophysiology of both conditions. However, standard doses of antiinflammatory drugs are inappropriate for these patients. Standard doses of antibiotics have been used to treat acne, and standard doses of topical and systemic drugs have been used to treat rosacea. Patients have experienced significant side effects as a result. Dermatologists and other health professionals who treat acne and rosacea need to be aware of new research findings that show that subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline can be used to control the inflammation that underlies acne and rosacea. They also need to be familiar with recent clinical studies testing the safety of subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline, compared to standard doses of antibiotics.

Learning Objectives

After reading and studying this supplement, participants should be able to:

• Describe a variety of medications that are used to treat illnesses other than the one for which they were developed.

• Discuss the role of inflammation in acne vulgaris and rosacea.

• List antibiotics that have been shown to have antiinflammatory effects.

• Summarize the adverse side-effects that are avoided by using subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline.

• Discuss research findings on the safety and effectiveness of subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline in acne and rosacea.

CME Recognition

The Skin & Allergy News supplement "The Treatment of Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea: A Novel Approach" is recognized by The American Academy of Dermatology for 1 hour of AAD Category 1 credit and may be used toward the American Academy of Dermatology's Continuing Medical Education Award.

Term of approval: September 2003-August 2004

Copyright © 2003 by International Medical News Group

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