The tetracycline rosacea drugs are commonly used by the medical profession to treat the symptoms of certain types of rosacea, especially acne rosacea. Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that commonly affects the face. It occurs most often in women between 30 and 50, but men are also affected, and generally have the most severe forms of the disease. It is characterized by erythema (redness), papules (small red lesions), and pustules (pimples), small vessels and increased the volume of the sebaceous glands. The eyelids and the eye can be involved (ocular rosacea).
The effectiveness of tetracycline is essentially due to its anti-inflammatory action. This antibiotic may be prescribed for the treatment of acne rosacea (papulopustula rosacea) and in general, has been effective in diminishing inflammation after one to two months. But it doesn’t eliminate the red flushed face symptoms generally associated with Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea and it doesn’t cure rosacea. Doxycycline is a tetracycline derivative most commonly prescribed for rosacea. There are four subtypes of rosacea, that may become progressively worse if untreated.
Tetracycline Rosacea Treatment – Dosage and Potential Side Effects
The usual initial dose is 500 mg of tetracycline twice a day, and the treatment is continued until a significant decrease of the inflammation is perceived. The dose can then be decreased to 250 mg two times a day, or discontinued. The main problem associated with this antibiotic is the fact that it has to be taken on an empty stomach to be the most effective.
Using tetracycline rosacea drugs alone are not enough to kill the bacteria, but it is generally effective in keeping the inflammation under control. The anti-inflammatory dose of antibiotic is preferred when because patients with a low tetracycline dose for rosacea are less likely to experience side effects such as diarrhea.
Other side effects of tetracyclines are not always common, but there’s a chance that you can experience phototoxicity. This is a fancy word to describe an increased risk of sunburn from exposure to sunlight or other ultra-violet sources. This can be particularly important if you want to go to the beach or expose yourself to the sun when enjoying outdoor activities.
Tetracycline can cause upset stomach or cause intestine problems, and, on rare occasions, some allergic reactions. A severe headache and vision problems may be signs of intracranial hypertension, also called pseudo brain tumor, which is not a serious condition, but it requires a visit to the doctor, so he can modify the dosage or even suspend the treatment with that drug.
Limitations of Tetracycline Rosacea Treatment
Generally the treatment with tetracycline needs to be combined with other topical treatments for more effective action. Many people have good results in the first three months of treatment.
The predominance of tetracycline and tetracycline derivatives for the therapy of bacterial infections has caused more bacteria to become resistant to these drugs. Decreasing the number of people taking this class of antibiotics keeps the effectiveness of these drugs.
I have had rosacea for about fourteen years now. Nothing gets rid of the redness and the bumps except antibiotics and I want nothing to do with that. I had tried a Tata Harper face oil and hated it. It made my rosacea worse.
I now use (and only use) the Made from Earth Rosehip Hibiscus Serum. I didn’t notice much the night I put it on BUT the next day my skin looked clearer. LESS RED. The day after that my redness and skin bumps were almost non existent.
Putting makeup on made me look ten years younger (I’m 37) and I didn’t even have to use concealer on what are normally terrible hereditary dark circles under my eyes.