Two large phase 3 trials, run to the same design, tested a 40 mg low-dose minocycline capsule against doxycycline 40 mg and against a placebo. On the main measure — the share of people whose rosacea was rated clear or almost clear — minocycline beat placebo in both trials, and beat doxycycline in both trials. It also reduced inflammatory bumps more than either comparator. Running the same trial twice and getting the same answer is what makes this convincing. The drug is manufacturer-developed, so independent trials would strengthen the case further.
Bhatia N, Del Rosso J, Stein Gold L, et al. Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral DFD-29, a low-dose formulation of minocycline, in rosacea: two phase 3 randomized clinical trials. JAMA Dermatol. 2025;161(5):499-507.
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