An evaluation of a 2% erythromycin ointment in the topical therapy of acne vulgaris

Two hundred eight patients completed a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, controlled study comparing a 2% erythromycin ointment to its vehicle. Patients were evaluated by inflammatory lesion counts and Cook acne severity grade at the initial visit and at weeks 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12. The 2% erythromycin ointment proved to be statistically more effective than the vehicle in reducing lesion counts and acne severity grade at weeks 4, 8, 10, and 12. The ointment caused few side effects and was well tolerated by most patients.