Prescription Acne Medicines
Common Prescription Acne Medicines and How It Works
Are you 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 the condition is mild, it should normally respond well to OTC acne medicines.
If you the condition does not improve, you may want to see your family doctor or a dermatologist.
A dermatologist may prescribe oral and/or topical acne medicines to treat your condition.
Oral prescription acne medicines include:
Check out the detailed descriptions given below, find out how the drug works and watch out for possible side effects.
Oral Acne Medicine : 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 prescribed 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.
The American Academy of Family Physicians provides valuation information on the right way to use accutane.
Oral Acne Medicine : 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 include:
- erythromycin
- tetracycline
- minocycline
- oxytetracycline
- doxycycline
Oral Acne Medicine : 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 Acne Medicine : 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 Acne Medicine : 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.
Topical erythromycin, which is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, is used primarily to treat acne.
When topical erthyromycin is combined with benzoyl peroxide, the combination proves to be quite effective as the patient gets the effects of two antimicrobial agents.
Erythromycin may cause skin dryness and possible irritation. It is important to use as directed to decrease bacterial resistance that can occur with antibiotic use.
Clindamycin is also prescribed to treat acne. It is a semi-synthetic antibiotic.
Topical clindamycin has a long history of successfully treating acne. It works by reducing P. acnes and decreasing inflammation.
In topical form, clindamycin has proven safe and is well tolerated.
Skin dryness and irritation are possible side effects.
It is important to use as directed to decrease bacterial resistance that can occur with antibiotic use.
Sodium sulfacetamide is a "sulfonamide" that is used for its antibacterial activity. It curbs the growth of the P. Acnes bacteria and opens clogged pores, sodium sulfacetamide is effective in treating inflammatory acne.
Many products containing sodium sulfacetamide include sulfur.
Some patients do not like the smell of the sulfur or its grittiness. Usually, the newer products that contain sulfur do not have these problems.
Topical Acne Medicine : 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)
- Tazarotene (Tazorac)
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.
Skin Care for People with Acne
The key to skin care for people with acne is to have a strict skin care regime.
Maintain a good skin care routine, use appropriate good skin care products that have been formulated for acne prone skins and your skin condition will improve.
This article will help you to formulate a facial skin care routine that is appropriate for your skin type.
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