| Acne can be controlled with certain over-the-counter | | | | suppress bacteria-associated acne. Prescription |
| products in most cases, but since many different | | | | antibiotics like minocycline (Minocin), and erythromycin |
| types of acne exist, prescription medicine is needed in | | | | (Eryc, Ery-Tab), which are taken orally, are used when |
| some cases. Clindamycin solution (brand name | | | | creams or lotions fail to yield results. In all, as has been |
| Cleocin-T) and erythromycin (T-Stat, Emgel) are | | | | observed; oral antibiotics improve acne by about 50 |
| commonly used for this. Both are antibiotics, and have | | | | percent, which can go up to 88 percent if benzoyl |
| few side effects.Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, | | | | peroxide is added. If one has severe acne, like cystic |
| is a gel that penetrates hair follicles. It is considered to | | | | acne, the doctor may prescribe the oral medicine |
| be more effective than a cream or a lotion.Other | | | | isotretinoin (Accutane). Isotretinoin is effective for |
| effective creams or gels include azelaic acid (Azelex), | | | | improving acne in up to 90 percent of people, but it |
| adapalene (Differin), tretinoin cream (Retin-A), and | | | | should only be used under expert medical guidance, |
| tazarotene (Tazorac). Retin-A or Retinoic Acid | | | | especially among pregnant women or those planning |
| loosens up the blocked follicle, reducing the number of | | | | pregnancy.Another class of drugs, called |
| inflammations. Retin-A may be very useful for | | | | corticosteroids, are also powerful anti-inflammatory |
| comedomal acne (blackheads and whiteheads). | | | | agents, and often employed as short-course therapies |
| Tretinoin, adapalene, and azelaic acid appear to be | | | | for very severe acne. Low doses of corticosteroids |
| equally effective. These medicines reduce acne | | | | suppress androgenic hormone secretions, which |
| blemishes by up to 65 to 70 percent.Antibiotic lotions | | | | promote the sebaceous glands secretions of sebum. |