The effect of combined treatment with oral clindamycin and oral rifampicin in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: A previous limited study showed promising results of combined oral treatment with rifampicin 600 mg and clindamycin 600 mg for 10 weeks.

OBJECTIVE: To expand and to validate the basis for this therapy, we reviewed the response to different treatment durations.

METHOD: A retrospective study in 34 patients.

RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 34 patients (82%) experienced at least partial improvement, and 16 (47%) showed a total remission. The maximum effect of treatment appeared within 10 weeks. Following total remission, 8 of 13 (61.5%) patients treated as mentioned above experienced a relapse after a mean period of 5.0 months. Nonresponders were predominantly patients with severe disease.

CONCLUSION: Combination treatment with oral rifampicin and clindamycin is a promising treatment option for hidradenitis suppurativa, despite the frequent occurrence of diarrhea as a side effect. The length and the dosage of treatment are not yet firmly established.