Medications & Acne

Yahoo! Health Acne Vulgaris:
"Medications do not cure acne, but they can help manage the severity and frequency of outbreaks. Different medications are used, depending on the type of acne (pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, or cystic lesions). The types of medications used most often to treat acne include those that:

* Help unplug skin pores and stop them from getting plugged with oil (such as tretinoin [sold as Retin-A]).
* Kill bacteria, such as antibiotics.
* Reduce the amount of sebum, such as isotretinoin (Accutane).
* Reduce the effects of hormones in producing acne, such as oral contraceptive pills for women.

The best medical treatment for acne often is a combination of medications. Some medications are combined into one product, such as Benzamycin topical gel, which contains an antibiotic (erythromycin) and benzoyl peroxide, or BenzaClin topical gel, which contains benzoyl peroxide and the antibiotic clindamycin. Other times, two different medications are needed. For example, some people use benzoyl peroxide lotion or gel in the morning and topical tretinoin (Retin-A) at bedtime.

When topical medications do not clear up acne, oral antibiotics are prescribed usually in combination with topical retinoid medications, such as tretinoin (Retin-A), adapalene (Differin), and tazarotene (Tazorac). If these medications satisfactorily control acne flare-ups, they are discontinued, and topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide are used to keep acne in check."

MY REACTION:

Good, solid background info on acne meds. Never the first choice, but sometimes the only choice.