A list of prescription acne medicines that are commonly used to treat acne

PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES

COMMON PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES
AND HOW IT WORKS

Are looking for more information on various prescription acne medicines that are used to treat acne? Well, you are the right place!

If you have acne, it is common to try over the counter acne medicines first.

If you do not respond to OTC acne medicines, you may want to see your family doctor or a dermatologist.

A dermatologist may prescribe oral or/and topical acne medicines to treat your condition.

Here are some of the commonly used acne medicines that your doctor may prescribe.

Accutane
Oral Antibiotics
Oral Contraceptives
Azaleic Acid
Topical Antibiotics
Topical Retinoids
Sodium Sulfacetamide

Check out the detailed descriptions here and find out how they work and the possible side effects.

ORAL PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES

ACCUTANE

Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, is used to treat severe cystic or nodular acne. This is an oral prescription acne medicine and cannot be bought over the counter.

While accutane is an effective medicine for treating acne, it also has serious side effects that you should be aware of. Some of these side effects include birth defects, mental problems and suicidal problems.

If your doctor has prescribe accutane to you, we recommend that you should talk to your doctor or read up as much as you can on the drug and understand all the possible side effects and watch out for the symptoms. Check out the following resources.

The US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) is a good resource and guide that provides more information on accutane.

The American Academy of Family Physicians also provide valuation information on the right way to use accutane.

ORAL ANTIBIOTICS

Oral antibiotic is another prescription acne medicine that helps control acne by curbing the growth of P. acnes bacteria and reducing inflammation.

Common oral antibiotics used to treat acne are erythromycin, tetracycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline and doxycycline.

There are a number of side effects related to these medications, and you should discuss in detail with your doctor.

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

Oral contraceptives are often prescribed to women to counteract the effects of high androgen levels. The female hormones effectively suppress androgen production. Not all oral contraceptives work against acne. The contraceptives that work well as prescription acne medicines are those that contain female hormones.

TOPICAL PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES

Like OTC topical medicines, topical prescription medicines can be prescribed as creams, lotions, solutions, or gels, depending on the patient's skin type.

With certain prescription acne medicines, the skin may look worse before improving. Treatment may take 4 to 8 weeks before producing signs of improvement. Side effects should be carefully discussed with your doctor.

AZELAIC ACID

Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring acid that helps the skin to renew itself more quickly. It prevents the buildup of cells that can plug pores, reduces inflammation, and also helps to kill the P. Acnes bacteria.

TOPICAL ANTIBIOTICS

Topical antibiotics are substances that are effective against bacteria, including P. acnes. As a prescription acne medicine, it works to slow or stop the growth of P. acnes bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Some yeast-based antibiotics also have antikeratinization-effects (scar minimization).

Topical antibiotics are often used in combination with other drugs, such as retinoids. Retinoids would be used to clear the pores of excess cells so that the antibiotics have an easier path to the bacteria in an affected follicle.

Erythromycin is a commonly used prescription acne medicine that is effective against P. acnes, as well as having anti-inflammatory qualities. Clindamycin is also prescribed to treat acne.

TOPICAL RETINOIDS

Topical Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives. They help to treat acne by unplugging clogged pores, prevents dead cells from clogging pores, increasing cell turnover and cell renewal.

The constant refreshing of cells loosens up the plugged follicles that cause pimples. It also allows other topical medicines, particularly antibiotics, to penetrate the follicles more effectively.

Retinoids that increase the speed at which surface skin cells are replaced have also been prescribed to treat sun-damaged skin or wrinkles.

Topical retinoids are often used along with oral antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide.

A potential side-effect is that they can cause drying, redness and irritation.

Examples of topical retinoids that are used as prescription acne medicines include Tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Vitamin A Acid, Retin-A Micro), Adapalene (Differin), and Tazarotene (Tazorac).

SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE

Sodium sulfacetamide is a "sulfonamide" that is used for its antibacterial activity. It curbs the growth of the P. Acnes bacteria.

CAUTION

Are you are new to a particular skin care product?
Always buy a small quantity to try out and test it on a small patch of skin first.
A particular brand may work wonders for your best friend, but have a different result with your skin.
Remember, different people may have different reactions to different products.

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PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES

COMMON PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINESAND HOW IT WORKS

COMMON PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINES
AND HOW IT WORKS