OVER THE COUNTER AND PRESCRIPTION ACNE MEDICINE TOPICAL AND ORAL DRUGS FOR ACNE

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Topical acne medicine comes as cream, gel, lotion or solution. Which one to use can depend on the person's skin type.

Creams are appropriate for patients with sensitive or dry skin who require a nonirritating, nondrying formulation. Patients with oily skin may complain of an "oily" feel with creams.

Gels may be better for people with oily skin. Gels can have a have a drying effect. However, gels may cause a burning-type irritation in some patients and may prevent certain kinds of cosmetics from adhering to the skin.

Lotions can be used with any skin type, and they spread well over hair-bearing skin. Yet lotions contain propylene glycol and thus may have burning or drying effects.

Solutions are mainly used with topical antibiotics, which are often dissolved in alcohol. Like gels, solutions work best in patients with oily skin

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One of the most used acne medicines is benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide can be obtained in various concentrations (2.5 to 10 percent. Benzoyl peroxide comes in water-based or alcohol-based gels. The water-based formulations are less drying than the alcohol-based preparations. Benzoyl peroxide gels are applied once or twice daily.














The most common side effect of benzoyl peroxide is skin irriation. This effect occurs more often at higher concentrations and tends to decrease with continued use.Since some people get contact allergy to benzoyl peroxide ,it's a good idea to test for allergic dermatitis by applying a small amount first and not on the face. Benzoyl peorxide can bleach clothing.

Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives work by loosening plugs or stopping plugs from forming they include:

Tretinoin (Retin A) is a topical vitamin A derivative. Tretinoin is available as a cream, gel or liquid. The cream has the lowest potency, and the liquid has the highest potency. All tretinoin formulations can cause some skin irritation. The liquid is the most irritating, and the cream is the least irritating. The concentration affects the degree of irritation. It should be applied in small amounts to clean, dry skin. The irritation of tretinoin is worsened by sun exposure,so it's a good idea to apply it at bedtime.

Adapalene (Differin) is a topical synthetic retinoid analog.

Accutane is a very powerful oral acne drug for severe acne. Accutane is controversial because of its side effects, some proven some in dispute. It can cause serious birth defects if women get pregnant when they are on the drug and for some time after.The federal government tells any woman taking Accutane to be on two kinds of contraceptives, and sign the 'I Pledge,' which says that they are aware of the birth defects and pledge to abide by the guidelines of the program.

Isotretinoin (marketed as Accutane) Capsule Information

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Topical Antibiotics. Antibiotics are a mainstay of acne treatment. Topical antibiotics commonly are used in conjunction with retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. The most frequently used topical antibiotics are clindamycin and erythromycin.




Oral Antibiotics and Oral Contraceptive Pills. Oral antibiotics such as erythromycin may be prescribed and even oral contraceptives which can affect the hormone levels.