Minocycline 1.5% foam for the topical treatment of moderate to severe papulopustular rosacea: Results of 2 phase 3, randomized, clinical trials

Background: Efficacious topical medications for rosacea are needed. FMX103 1.5% is a novel topical minocycline foam that may have therapeutic benefits in treating rosacea while minimizing systemic adverse effects due to its topical route of delivery. Objective: To determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 12 weeks of treatment with FMX103 1.5% topical minocycline foam for papulopustular rosacea. Methods: Two 12-week, phase 3, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, 2-arm studies were performed in patients with moderate to severe papulopustular rosacea. Results: Participants who received FMX103 1.5%, versus control individuals treated with vehicle, exhibited a significantly greater reduction in the number of inflammatory lesions (FX2016-11: -17.57 vs -15.65; P = .0031; FX2016-12: -18.54 vs -14.88; P < .0001) and higher rates of Investigator Global Assessment treatment success (FX2016-11: 52.1% vs 43.0%; P = .0273; FX2016-12: 49.1% vs 39.0%; P = .0077). No serious treatment-related treatment-emergent adverse events occurred. Limitations: The generalizability of these data from a controlled clinical trial should be examined in a real-world setting. Conclusions: FMX103 1.5% was efficacious for moderate to severe papulopustular rosacea and maintained a favorable safety profile.