Medications for acne vulgaris.
In mild acne vulgaris, a conservative treatment is effective  enough to prevent any further problems. However, in cases of severe, extensive and persistent acne more drastic means are required, such as antiseptics and medicines. These have to be used in combination with the conservative treatment, in order complications of acne vulgaris to be avoided or minimized.
A wide range of medications for treatment of acne vulgaris are available in the market.
In this page, we have included the most common of these
pharmaceutical
means.
The choice of each medicine depends on the severity of the symptoms.
The standard policy of this site is to recommend generic forms of medications, whenever they are available. For more information about generic drugs you can visit the Medications or Frequently Asked Questions about generic drugs pages.
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Topical bactericidal products for acne vulgaris treatment.
Topical bactericidal products, such as benzoyl peroxide (Benzac) are the most common choice in treatment of mild or moderate acne vulgaris. Benzoyl peroxide is a powerful oxidizer and prevents the formation of lesions by acting as anti-inflammatory agent and by reducing the population of bacteria and yeast on the skin surface. Benzac is most commonly used in concentrations of 2.5% but it is available in 5% form, as well. Side-effects may be redness, irritation or dryness and they last the first two weeks of treatment. Thus, some moderate use of a moisturizer like
Atopalm MLE cream may be required for this interval of time. Benzoyl peroxide can be combined with any other treatment for acne, including
topical antibiotics. Benzac is available online and if you click the
 button, you can find it.
In more persistent acne cases, preparations, like DDF BP 5% Gel that combine benzoyl peroxide and tea tree oil, may be required. The two ingredients together provide better antiseptic treatment. The drawback of this combination is that your skin may get too dry. In such a case, the product must be used less frequently than twice a day.
Retinoids for acne vulgaris treatment.
Derivatives of vitamin A, called retinoids, can play a significant role in control of acne vulgaris, since they are prescribed for moderate or persistent cases with remarkable results. There are two types of retinoids; oral pills and creams for topical use.
 Isotretinoin (Accutan or Roaccutan) is included in the first category. The medicine used to be quite popular in the past but, recently, dermatologists are reluctant to prescribe it, because of its serious and numerous side-effects, including abnormal hair growth or loss, blood in urine, fluctuations in blood glucose level, increase of blood cholesterol, chest pain, impaired hearing and vision, liver damage, birth defects, nosebleeds, irregular heartbeat and insomnia. According to a FDA alert (7/2005),  Accutan can lead to sad mood, irritability, anger, loss of pleasure or interest in social or sports activities and suicidal thoughts or actions. In a case that you have been prescribed Accutan, please follow this link and you will be guided how to find it online.
External retinoids for topical application are safe and they have been used effectively for nearly thirty years in treatment of mild to moderate acne and psoriasis. However they may result in skin irritation, peeling and sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, a sunscreen of 15 SPF (Sun Protection Factor) or higher must be used at the same period. If side-effects occur, retinoid creams are recommended to be applied in smaller quantities and less frequently. External retinoids must be used for nearly three months, before the first beneficial results appear. During the first two or three weeks of treatment, the symptoms of acne may worsen. In pregnant women, external retinoids should not be used, without a healthcare provider's advice. Retinoid creams include tretinoin (Renova), adapalene (Differin) and tazarotene (Tazorac).
Tretinoin (Renova and Retin-A) is used topically and apart from reducing fine wrinkles, it is effective in acne treatment. It promotes the rejuvenation of the skin by triggering the production of collagen. Use the following link to find more information about Renova or Retin-A and to be guided how to find these products online.
Adapalene (Differin) and
tazarotene (Tazorac Cream), tazarotene (Tazorac Gel) or tazarotene (Avage) have very similar action and help in release of the pores of pilosebaceous units and prevent the development of spots. Click the relevant links above to find these medications online.
Antibiotics for acne vulgaris treatment.
Topical antibiotics can be used, if the affected area of the skin is not large. They are equally effective with their oral counterparts and they are prescribed far more often, since they do not cause any gastrointestinal complications. Apparently, if acne lesions are present in large areas of the body, oral antibiotic courses are needed.
Unfortunately, overtime, antibiotics are getting less effective in treatment of acne, since P. acnes, the responsible bacterium, is getting more resistant to them.
Topical antibiotics. Erythromycin is the most common topical antibiotic used for acne treatment. It is contained in Benzamycin Gel along with benzoyl peroxide, giving very good results. If you try the
button, you will be able to find Benzamycin Gel online.
Erythromycin can also be combined with tretinoin. Stievamycin is a product with such content and it is very effective. Remember to use a sunscreen, because tretinoin can make the skin sensitive to sunlight. Stievamycin is available in mild, regular and forte types and all of them are in a gel form.
By using the above links you will be able to find these preparations online.
Bear in mind not to apply tetracycline preparations on your face, before you go out for dinner or clubbing, because it may fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
Oral antibiotics for treatment of acne include erythromycin (Ilosone) and tetracyclines, such as minocycline (Minomycin), tetracycline (Sumycin), doxycycline hyclate (Vibramycin), oxytetracycline (Terramycin) and doxycycline 50mg or 100mg. Click the relevant links, if you want to be guided how to find the above antibiotics online.
Tetracyclines should be avoided during pregnancy, since they can affect the color and perhaps the formation of the fetus's teeth. |
