Medications that promote ulcer and wound healing

A number of medications can promote wound healing. They fall into two main groups—those that manage the pathology of the wound (eg antibiotics for a clinically infected wound), and those that stimulate wound healing (usually by actions outside the licensed indication).

There is evidence that doxycycline has anti-inflammatory effects—as a result it has been used off-label for vasculitis and vasculitic ulcers, particularly to avoid use of corticosteroids. Do not use systemic antibiotics to promote wound healing in the absence of clinical infection.

Pentoxifylline (oxpentifylline) can help maintain vascular patency—it is sometimes used off-label by specialists as adjunctive therapy to improve healing in chronic wounds.

Several other medications (eg phenytoin, retinoids, some immunosuppressants) have demonstrated benefit for healing in specific wound types. However, potential harms outweigh benefits for most patients. These medications are not appropriate outside of the specialist setting.