Comparison between the Efficacy of Azithromycin Versus Doxycycline in Treating Inflammatory Acne

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral azithromycin and oral doxycycline in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental trial was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, tertiary care hospital Kharian, over a period of three to six months after approval from CPSP and the Ethical Review Committee. A total of 120 patients aged 16–55 years with inflammatory acne vulgaris were enrolled through non-probability consecutive sampling and divided into two equal groups. Group I received oral azithromycin 250 mg once daily, while Group II received oral doxycycline 100 mg once daily for 8 weeks. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, including Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) scores, were recorded. 

Results: A total of 120 patients completed the study, with 60 patients in each treatment group. The mean age of the participants was 24.8 ± 7.2 years, and 56.7% were female. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean baseline GAGS score was 25.6 ± 5.8 in the azithromycin group and 25.2 ± 6.1 in the doxycycline group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the mean GAGS score decreased to 5.8 ± 3.4 and 9.7 ± 5.1, respectively. Treatment efficacy was achieved in 38 (63.3%) patients receiving azithromycin compared with 24 (40.0%) patients receiving doxycycline. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.011).

Conclusion: Oral azithromycin was significantly more effective than oral doxycycline in the treatment of inflammatory acne vulgaris. It achieved higher response rates and greater improvement in acne severity, suggesting that azithromycin may be considered a preferable therapeutic option for managing inflammatory acne vulgaris