Acne Medications – What Are The Best Prescription Medications for Treating Your Acne?

With advancements in technology and in the medical fields, today we have many more options in treating acne than what was once available to us.  There are a wide variety of prescription medications that are used to clear, treat, and prevent acne.  Topical prescriptions may be prescribed for more severe cases of acne.  Topical medications are applied to the affected area on the skin and help to clear acne.

Different prescription options

Isotretinoin: Isotretinoin is a oral retinoid that is usually reserved for more severe cases of acne such as cystic acne or other cases of acne that have proven to be resistant to other medications, one reason for this being because it is a very potent medication.

Erythromycin:  You probably recognize this name because it is a very popular medication used to treat acne.  It has proven to be very effective against a wide array of bacteria.  Some side effects may occur, the most likely being irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Tetracycline and derivatives: Tetracyclines are used to reduce the inflammatory lesions of acne. When treating moderate to severe acne a typical regimen for this medication usually starts with a dose of 500 to 1,000 milligrams a day and is then decreased as improvement of acne occurs. 

Long-term, low-dose tetracycline therapy may be a continuous process for a few months in order to put an end to acne.  If there is an even more severe case of acne an even higher dosage may be prescribed.  However this medication should always be taken properly and with great care.

Tetracycline is not for children young than 8 years of age because it can affect growth and stain teeth.  It should also not be taken by pregnant women or mothers who are breastfeeding as it can affect the development of the child’s bones and teeth which can lead to skeletal defects. Check with your doctor or dermatologist to make sure that its safe for you before taking this medication.

Oral Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives have been proven to effectively clear acne in women because it suppresses overactive sebaceous glands and can be used long term to help prevent acne.  However women who smoke, have a history of migraines, or blood-clot disorder, or are over the age of 35 should not take oral contraceptives and as always recommended, a woman should talk to her gynecologist before being prescribed oral contraceptives to make sure that its safe.

Benzoyl Peroxide: Benzoyl Peroxide works to kill acne and can be found in a number strengths.  It also comes in the form of gels, lotions, cleansers, cream and washes.  Many acne medications contain Benzoyl Peroxide because it has been proven to increase the effectiveness in medications such as erythromycin and clindamycin.  When used in combination with antibiotics it can be very effective in making sure that the patient doesn’t become resistant to medications used to treat acne.  Some disadvantages of Benzoyl Peroxide are that it has been found to bleach things like hair, clothing, fabrics, etc. and can cause skin irritation or in some cases allergic reactions.

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