The role of topical metronidazole in the treatment of rosacea.

Many topical and oral pharmacologic agents have shown well-tolerated efficacy for the treatment of rosacea. Metronidazole was the first topical therapy approved for rosacea and is still considered the foundation therapy by many researchers and dermatologists. The efficacy and tolerability of topical metronidazole in combination with an oral antibiotic or as monotherapy to maintain remissions have been shown in multiple well-controlled trials.