Acne Medicines and Pills: What You Need To Know

A Review Of Your Acne Medication Options

Acne can manifest in different ways – from blackheads and whiteheads to those with reddish surface or yellowish pus.  Just as there are many types of acne, there are also many types of acne medicines available. It is important that you choose the acne medicine that works best for you.

Over-the Counter Preparations

Most over-the-counter acne remedies come in acne-fighting facial wash and topical gels, creams, or lotions.  These preparations can be applied over the acne lesions only or on the entire affected area.

Benzoyl peroxide.  This formula has been used for many decades because of its proven effectiveness in fighting acne.  Benzoyl peroxide acts as an antimicrobial agent against Propionibacterium Acnes, the main culprit of acne infection.  It also reduces acne and prevents further breakouts by removing dead skin cells that clog thr pores.

When using benzoyl peroxide, make sure that you follow the precautions indicated in the packaging.  Applying excessive amount of this substance can harm and dry up your skin.  PanOxyl and Benzac are among the popular brand names of benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic acid.  Lotions, creams, and peels which contain salicylic acid can cure non-inflammatory acne by causing dead cells to slough off more readily, thus preventing the pores from clogging up.  Specific acne-fighting products from Neutrogena, Murad contain significant amount of salicylic acid to clear your skin from acne. 

Sulfur.  This substance has been used for centuries to cure itchiness and other severe skin conditions like dermatitis and scabies.  Sulfur soaps and ointments relieve acne by killing the bacteria that causes infection of the clogged pores.

Sidebar: This section also discusses Murad acne treatment, alpha lipoic acid for acne, Zoloft and acne, Tetracycline acne treatment and Proactiv acne medicine.

Various natural essences and herbal pills are available in the market.  Many people rely on using them to cure acne because they have been proven effective and they don’t pose side effects as much as those synthetically-prepared drugs.

Prescription Medications

Acne treatment which requires a doctor’s prescription is usually in the form of oral medications or topical applications for severe cases of acne.

Oral Antibiotics.  Doctors recommend that you take oral antibiotics for severe acne or for some moderate acne.  Antibiotics decrease inflammation by killing the P. Acnes bacteria that cause acne.  You have to use antibiotics for acne only when directed by your doctor; otherwise, the bacteria will become resistant to the drug.

Oral contraceptives.  Birth control pills are often relied upon by doctors to cure acne which are stubborn and are caused by hormonal fluctuations.  Such acne usually occurs during premenstrual days or during adult years among women.  Oral contraceptives work by suppressing the production of certain hormones that cause overproduction of oil that clogs the pores and cause acne.

Ortho TriCyclen is one of the FDA-approved contraceptives that can be used to effectively combat acne.

Topical antimicrobials.  Antimicrobial creams, gels, or lotions attack the acne-causing bacteria.  Clindamycin, which is also available in oral antibiotics and medicated pads, have been used to lessen acne inflammation. 

Retinoids. Retinoids work by unclogging pores and preventing comedones (whiteheads and blackheads) from forming.  Most common retinoids available in tretinoin creams. Retin-A and Avita are the most popular and widely-used brands of tretinoin.

Prescription medications must be used only upon a doctor’s advice. When not used properly, these acne pills and topical applications can aggravate the condition of your skin.