Acne Medications part 2
For patients with moderate to severe acne, the doctor often prescribes oral
antibiotics (taken by mouth). Oral antibiotics are thought to help control acne
by curbing the growth of bacteria and reducing inflammation.
Prescription oral and topical acne medications may be combined. For
example, benzoyl peroxide may be combined with clindamycin, erythromycin,
or sulfur. Other common antibiotics used as treatment for acne are:
- Tetracycline
- Minocycline
- Doxycycline.
Some people have side effects when taking these antibiotics, such as:
- An increased tendency to sunburn
- Upset stomach
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Changes in skin color.
Tetracycline is not given to pregnant women, nor is it given to children
under eight years of age because it might discolor developing teeth.
Tetracycline and minocycline may also decrease the effectiveness of birth
control pills. Therefore, a backup or alternative form of birth control may
be needed. Prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics may be necessary to achieve
the desired results.
Your dermatologist may prescribe Accutane® if other acne
treatments have not worked. Accutane (isotretinoin)
is an oral drug for acne that is usually taken once or twice a day with food for
15 to 20 weeks. It markedly reduces the size of the oil glands so that much less
oil is produced. As a result, the growth of bacteria is decreased. Accutane can
help prevent scarring and treat active acne.
Advantages of Accutane
Accutane is a very effective medication that can help prevent scarring.
After 15 to 20 weeks of treatment with Accutane, acne completely or almost
completely goes away in up to 90% of patients. In those patients where acne
recurs after a course of Accutane, the doctor may institute another course of
the same treatment or prescribe other medicines
Disadvantages of Accutane
Accutane
can also cause birth defects. It is important that you are not pregnant and do
not plan to get pregnant while taking this medicine for acne. Those who take
Accutane must use two methods of birth control at the same time. This is done
for one month before acne
treatment begins, during acne treatment, and for a full month after stopping
the drug. Talk with your dermatologist about when it's safe to get
pregnant.
Some people with acne become depressed by the changes in the appearance of
their skin. Changes in mental health may be intensified during cystic acne
treatment or soon after completing a course of medicines like Accutane. A doctor
should be consulted if a person feels unusually sad or has other symptoms
of depression, such as loss of appetite or trouble concentrating.
Other side effects of this acne drug may include:
- Dry eyes, mouth, lips, nose, or skin
- Itching
- Nosebleeds
- Muscle aches
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Poor night vision.
More serious side effects include changes in the blood and liver.
To make sure treatment with Accutane is stopped if side effects occur,
doctors monitor blood studies that are done before cystic acne treatment is
started and also periodically during treatment. Side effects usually go away
after the medicine is stopped.
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