Oral erythromycin is ineffective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea.

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of various medical treatments for pityriasis rosea, a large percentage of patients fail to achieve satisfactory results. Erythromycin is reported to be effective in the treatment of pityriasis rosea.

METHODS

We designed a placebo-controlled study on 184 patients with pityriasis rosea attending the outpatient dermatology department at Hazrat-e-Rasul Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Adult patients were treated with 200 mg of erythromycin 4 times daily and children were treated with 20 to 40 mg/kg daily in 4 divided doses. Controls were given a placebo (an emollient cream) that was not identical in appearance. Subjects were seen at follow-up visits 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after starting treatment.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable with regard to sex, age, and mean duration of disease at the time of attending the clinic. We found no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups at weeks 4, 6, and 8 after beginning of treatment. (p > .05 Chi2).