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In a new study, people using antibiotics to treat acne were twice as likely to develop upper respiratory tract infections in the next year. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the antibiotics caused those infections, the researchers stress in the Archives of Dermatology.They call for more studies. Meanwhile, no one is calling for a shift in acne treatment."The findings do not yet justify a change in current practice," says a journal editorial.
Information came from a British medical database, The study covered more than 118,000 acne patients , Most patients (72%) had taken antibiotics to treat acne for more than six weeks.The antibiotics were tetracyclines, erythromycin, or clindamycin , Both topical and oral antibiotics were studied .
The key finding: Patients taking antibiotics for acne were about twice as likely to get an upper respiratory tract infection, such as cold and sinus infections, over the next year.
The pattern was seen with both topical and oral antibiotics.
The researchers knew the patients' age (15-35). But they didn't have some other pieces information.
For instance, it's not known if patients were taking other antibiotics for acne or if they used antibiotics for conditions other than acne.
It would also help to have details on acne severity, social class, smoking, and other illnesses,
Large clinical studies are needed to track acne antibiotic treatment and upper respiratory tract infections over time,
SOURCES: Margolis, D. Archives of Dermatology, September 2005; vol 141: pp 1132-1136. Chan, A. Archives of Dermatology, Sept. 2005; vol 141: pp 1157-1158. News release, JAMA/Archives, skin inc.com.
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