Oracea is now being promoted by Galderma as a first line treatment of rosacea along with its metronidazole brand name topical treatments for rosacea. Galderma bought Collegenex who originated the brand name Oracea prescription only oral treatment for rosacea that is FDA approved. Oracea is enteric coated with 10 mg of ‘delayed released beads’ and 30 mg of immediate release doxycycline and is advertised as anti-inflammatory and ‘submicrobial’ rather than antibiotic. This is supposed to reduce the chances of developing antibiotic resistance in long term use. The majority of rosacea users report success in using Oracea but some negative reports have been found.
According to a University of California Davis School of Medicine, report, “Recently, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline was demonstrated to be an effective treatment for rosacea, due to its inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline has a more preferable tolerability profile and a lower occurrence of bacterial resistance than traditional-dose doxycycline. To further elucidate the role of tetracycline agents in rosacea, clinical trials that compare these agents with each other as well as with other effective rosacea treatments are called for.”
It will be good to see if clinical studies will be done on the effectiveness of Oracea compared with low dose doxycycline or tetracycline. For more information and a collection of reports of users of Oracea click here.
