Penicillin can ease leg cellulitis
Thursday May 2nd, 2013
Low-dose penicillin can help to reduce repeat episodes of leg cellulitis, researchers reported last night.
The findings come from a study conducted by dermatologists at the University of Nottingham.
It is hoped that the findings from the largest randomised trial of its kind will help to improve the lies of people who suffer from the painful condition.
Professor Hywel Williams, director of the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology at The University of Nottingham, UK, said the PATCH 1 trial could also potentially reduce costs to health care providers by reducing hospital admissions.
The trial involved 274 patients from 28 hospitals across the UK and Ireland, all of whom had experienced at least two episodes of leg cellulitis in the previous three years.
Researchers wanted to establish if 250mg dose penicillin taken twice a day for 12 months could prevent further attacks in patients who suffer from repeat episodes of leg cellulitis.
Patients remained in the trial for up to three years to see whether or not the penicillin was effective or if there were longer-term benefits after the antibiotics stopped.
The PATCH 1 trial found that patients in the penicillin group were less likely to have another attack of cellulitis compared with the placebo group (22 per cent compared with 37 per cent), but that protection was gradually lost after patients stopped the medication at 12 months.
After three years, about half of all the patients in both groups had suffered at least one further episode.
Professor Williams, whose findings are published in the New England Journal of Medicine, said: “By demonstrating that a simple, low cost and safe intervention such as low-dose penicillin taken for 12 months can reduce the number of repeat episodes, we could improve their lives significantly and reduce the number of hospital admissions which result from this long term, painful and disfiguring condition.
“By improving the evidence base on this topic, patients and doctors can make informed choices about the management and prevention of leg cellulitis.”
Thomas K, Crook A et al. Penicillin to Prevent Recurrent Leg Cellulitis. N Engl J Med. 2 May 2013;368:1695-703. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1206300
Tags: Dermatology | Pharmaceuticals | UK News
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