Comparison of Demethychlortetracycline and Tetracycline in Acne

Abstract

In a double-blind study involving 100 acne patients treated for 4 to 22 weeks, demethylchlortetracycline 150 mg showed a statistical superiority to tetracycline 250 mg, in terms of side effects and the number of excellent responses (but not in the number of excellent and good responses combined). Thus, in the group of 50 patients receiving demethylchlortetracycline there were 36 excellent and 13 good responses, no relapses and no side effects, compared to 19 excellent and 28 good responses, 8 relapses and 6 side effects in the group of 50 patients receiving tetracycline. Age, sex, total dose, and duration of therapy were analyzed and did not appear to be important factors in the results of the study.