Acne Medication
by Alison
Cole
zone3
A variety of acne medications with proved efficacy are used in the
United States. The selection of the prescription medication for the
patient is based on the severity and type of acne. Patients with mild to
severe acne can be treated with topical or oral medicines. Although
systemic therapy is mainly used for treatment of severe acne, it is
sometimes needed for moderate cases.
A variety of systemic agents used to clear acne include interlesional
corticosteroid injection, isotretinoin, oral antibiotics (tetracycline and
erythromycin) and oral contraceptives. Interlesional corticosteroid
injection is a much - diluted corticosteroid injected by the dermatologist
to treat severely inflamed cysts and prevent scarring. It helps treat acne
by “melting” the cyst over a period of 3-5 days. Isotretinoin (a
derivative of vitamin A) is a very effective oral drug that can help
prevent scarring but because of its potential for serious side effects it
is contraindicated in pregnant women and in many other conditions.
Isotretinoin acts by reducing the size of the sebaceous glands thus
preventing the excess secretion of oil and there by decreasing the growth
of bacteria. It has been estimated that up to 90% of patients’ treatment
with isotretinoin result in complete or almost complete recovery from
cystic acne.
Tetracycline and erythromycin are effective broad-spectrum oral
antibiotics used to treat moderate to severe inflammatory acne.
Tetracycline reduces inflammatory lesions of acne but is contraindicated
in pregnant and breast feeding women, and children of less than 8 years of
age. Doxycycline and minocycline, the synthetic derivatives of
tetracycline, are also used to treat acne. Appropriate oral contraceptives
that are valuable adjuncts in the treatment of acne in females include:
ethynodiol, norgestimate, norethindrone and norethindrone acetate. They
act by inhibiting the overactivity of sebaceous glands (oil glands).
Azelaic acid, benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, erythromycin, and sodium
sulfacetamide are the prescription topical antimicrobials used to treat
acne vulgaris in the United States. Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring
acid that has bacteriostatic and keratolytic properties. Benzoyl peroxide
is inexpensive and best at killing P. acnes. When used in combination with
antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin), benzoyl peroxide increases
efficacy and reduces antibiotic resistance. Clindamycin is a safe and well
tolerated semi-synthetic antibiotic that acts by reducing P. acnes and
decreasing inflammation. Topical erythromycin is an antimicrobial and
anti-inflammatory agent but may cause skin dryness and possible
irritation. Sodium sulfacetamide products mostly contain sulfur and are
used in patients who cannot tolerate other topical antimicrobials.
Several types of prescription topical retinoids used to treat acne
include adapalene, tazarotene, and tretinoin. Adapalene is a synthetic
retinoid analog that unclogs pores and demonstrates anti-inflammatory
properties. Tazarotene is a second-line retinoid option that helps treat
acne by stopping the development of new comedones. Tretinoin is a natural
retinoid that works to gradually unclog pores and keep them unplugged.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Acne provides detailed
information about acne, acne medication, acne products, and more. Acne is
affiliated with Acne
Skin Care Products.
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