Long-term management of distinct facial flushing and persistent erythema of rosacea by treatment with carvedilol.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of persistent erythema and flushing episodes in patients with rosacea remains a clinical challenge. A possible therapeutic option could be the use of antihypertensive drugs.

OBJECTIVES

We therefore evaluated the effect of the non-selective β-blocker carvedilol in five Caucasian patients.

METHODS

In a monocentric retrospective case study, the patients were treated with carvedilol titrated up to 12.5 mg twice a day over at least six months. Patients self assessment (PSA), clinicians erythema assessment (CEA), and the patients levels of embarrassment and satisfaction were performed by questionaires.

RESULTS

The CEA grade description as well as the PSA grade description decreased remarkably in all five patients. Furthermore, all patients reported to have a major improvement of their level of satisfaction and no feelings of embarrassment anymore.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that facial flushing and persistent erythema can be effectively treated by carvedilol long-term with a fast onset of improvement in a dose well tolerated.