Present and future rosacea therapy.

Abstract

Despite its prevalence, rosacea has not received the same attention of researchers as other dermatologic disorders. Nevertheless, new pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for the condition continue to be developed. The future of rosacea treatment will probably involve a combination of drugs and devices. Certain core therapies (i.e., topical metronidazole, topical azelaic acid, oral tetracyclines, and topical sulfur/sodium sulfacetamide) are validated by the greatest amount of high-order clinical evidence and will undoubtedly remain first-line therapeutic choices. However, more research is necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of newer pharmacologic agents and light-based therapy. Because rosacea is a chronic condition, pharmacologic maintenance therapy is necessary to maintain remission.