From the Research
Doxycycline may not be the most effective treatment for folliculitis, as a study from 2015 found that oral isotretinoin was the most successful treatment in achieving long-term remission, with 90% of patients experiencing stable remission during and up to two years after cessation of treatment 1. When considering treatment options for folliculitis, it's essential to weigh the effectiveness of different antibiotics and other therapies.
- The study from 2015 compared the efficacy of different treatment regimens, including clindamycin and rifampicin, clarithromycin, dapsone, and isotretinoin, and found that isotretinoin was the most successful in achieving long-term remission 1.
- Another study from 2019 reported a case of folliculitis decalvans successfully treated with oral fusidic acid, highlighting the potential effectiveness of this antibiotic in treating the condition 2.
- However, a study from 2016 found that doxycycline did not reduce the incidence of erlotinib-induced folliculitis, but significantly reduced its severity, suggesting that doxycycline may still have a role in managing certain types of folliculitis 3.
- A multicentre review of 82 patients with folliculitis decalvans found that oral antibiotics, including tetracyclines and the combination of clindamycin and rifampicin, improved 90% and 100% of patients, respectively, but the response duration was relatively short, with a mean duration of 4.6 and 7.2 months, respectively 4. It's crucial to consider the potential benefits and limitations of each treatment option and to prioritize the most effective therapy based on the latest evidence, which currently suggests that oral isotretinoin may be the most effective treatment for folliculitis, particularly for achieving long-term remission 1.