From the Guidelines
Cimetidine is not recommended as a first-line treatment for molluscum contagiosum in children. The current evidence does not support the use of cimetidine for treating molluscum contagiosum, as there is no mention of its efficacy in the provided study 1. Instead, the study suggests that resolution of uncomplicated molluscum contagiosum typically occurs spontaneously in 6 to 12 months, and treatment options such as 10% potassium hydroxide and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen can be used for lesions that are cosmetically bothersome or for patients with underlying skin conditions. Some key points to consider when managing molluscum contagiosum in children include:
- Watchful waiting is often appropriate, as most cases resolve spontaneously within 6-18 months
- Topical therapies such as cantharidin, podophyllotoxin, or gentle curettage can be used for isolated lesions
- Preventing the spread of the virus by avoiding sharing towels, bathing items, and direct skin-to-skin contact with lesions is crucial
- Children should avoid scratching lesions to prevent autoinoculation The lack of evidence supporting the use of cimetidine for molluscum contagiosum, combined with the potential for spontaneous resolution and the availability of other treatment options, makes it a less desirable choice for treating this condition in children 1.
From the Research
Cimetidine Treatment for Molluscum in Pediatric Population
- The use of cimetidine for treating molluscum contagiosum in children has been explored in a few studies, with one study from 1996 showing promise 2.
- In this study, 13 pediatric patients with extensive molluscum contagiosum were treated with oral cimetidine 40 mg/kg/day for two months, resulting in clearance of all lesions in all but three children who completed treatment 2.
- However, there is limited evidence to support the use of cimetidine as a first-line treatment for molluscum contagiosum, and other treatments such as topical imiquimod, cantharidin, and potassium hydroxide may be more effective 3, 4.
- A Cochrane review of interventions for cutaneous molluscum contagiosum found that there is no single intervention that has been shown to be convincingly effective, and that the natural resolution of the condition remains a strong method for dealing with it 4.
- Other studies have reviewed the various treatment methods available for molluscum contagiosum, including cryotherapy, curettage, and pulsed dye laser, but cimetidine is not mentioned as a common treatment option 5.
- Overall, while cimetidine may be a potential treatment option for molluscum contagiosum in children, more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety compared to other treatments 2.