Topical Timolol 0.5% Gel-Forming Solution for Erythema in Rosacea

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• In this randomized split-face trial, 8 adults with flushing and persistent erythema secondary to rosacea used timolol 0.5% gel-forming solution twice daily on one side of their face for 8 weeks, followed by using it on both sides for 8 weeks. Facial erythema was measured by tristimulus colorimetry and computer-aided image analysis. At week 8, facial erythema improved in both the treated and untreated sides of the face. When both sides were treated, improvement was noted only on the longer-treated side, peaking at week 12. The improvement was comparable with that seen in similar studies of brimonidine for rosacea. At week 16 there was recovery of erythema, suggestive of tolerance. Only 1 patient reported an adverse event, a transient episode of lower eyelid sensitivity.

• Topical timolol 0.5% gel-forming solution used twice daily was well tolerated and improved facial erythema, although recurrence of erythema was noted by week 16. Combination treatment may mitigate tolerance and improve outcomes.

– Kelly B. Scarberry, MD

Abstract 

Current topical medications for rosacea-associated erythema include brimonidine and oxymetazoline, which induce cutaneous vasoconstriction. Topical timolol has been used for infantile hemangioma due to its antiangiogenic and vasoconstrictive effects, but its efficacy for treating rosacea-associated erythema is unknown

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Topical Timolol 0.5% Gel-Forming Solution for Erythema in Rosacea: A Quantitative, Split-Face, Randomized, and Rater-Masked Pilot Clinical Trial

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Feb 03;[EPub Ahead of Print], J Tsai, AL Chien, N Kim, S Rachidi, BM Connolly, H Lim, SS Alessi César, S Kang, LA Garza 

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Benjamin Hidalgo-Matlock
Skin Care Physicians of Costa Rica

Clinica Victoria en San Pedro: 4000-1054
Momentum Escazu: 2101-9574

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