What prescribed products are helpful for acne? Dr Sophie Ladbrooke lists some of them below:
1. *Topical antibiotics* (creams/gels) such as Duac, Dalacin T, or Treclin
- Duac contains both a topical antibiotic and benzoyl peroxide
- Dalacin T contains only a topical antibiotic
- Treclin contians a topical antibiotic and a retinoid
*OR*
2. *Oral antibiotics** such as lymyecycline, erythromycin or trimethoprim. Oral antibiotics are usually given for 3-6 months
- the first line antibiotic is lymecycline. If this doesn’t help, erythromycin is usually tried next
- they are usually well tolerated and can safely be prescribed for this period of time
3. *Topical retinoid* gels/creams such as epiduo, adapalene or tretinoin.
- retinoids are particularly important as they help to prevent spots from forming in the first place
- they help to both prevent and treat scarring
- they should always be prescribed along with either topical or oral antibiotics
- they can be continued long term to help spots from coming back
- the most common side effect is dryness/irritation - **tip - build up use very slowly over several weeks **
- epiduo contains both a retinoid and benzoyl peroxide
- adapalene contains a retinoid only
- treclin contains both a retinoid and a topical antibiotic
4. The *combined oral contraceptive pill*, especially the pills containing the newer types of progesterones such as Yasmin or Lucette
- the progesterone only pill does not help with acne
5. *Spironolactone*
- this can be given off licence and helps to reduce testosterone levels thereby reducing oil production in the skin
- it can be given alongside topical treatment and can be given instead of oral antibiotics
- it is not used in men with acne
6. *Oral retinoids* (Roaccutane/Isotretinion) - these can only be prescribed by dermatologists and require blood monitoring. They are very effective for treating acne but are prescribed if other methods have failed due to the potential side effects and need for monitoring
Please also see Dr Ladbrooke's blog post Advice on helpful treatments part one.
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