[Metronidazole therapy of rosacea. The drug and its indications].

Introduced on the basis of a primary incidental observation metronidazole has gained more and more interest in the treatment of rosacea. Even before its list of indications had widened steadily. First being used for trichomoniasis, metronidazole is now administered in diseased states as different as anaerobic infection and dependence on alcohol. Although even prolonged administration so far has caused on the whole only minor side-effects in man the experience gained in experimental animals fuels doubts with respect to its long-term safety. Although metronidazole therapy for rosacea proved effective we propose to confine its use to cases that do not respond to tetracycline or local treatment. Pregnancy should be considered a contraindication.