Acne can be stubborn and likes to make itself quite comfortable on your skin! Even after repeatedly trying home remedies and skincare treatments, acne problems can still persist. One of the best solutions to treat such stubborn acne is to use antibiotics and topical creams.
Sometimes, for some people, topical treatments are not enough and an antibiotic taken orally is needed. Antibiotics are absorbed into your blood stream and start fighting acne from the inside out, to reduce bacteria on the skin’s surface. The antibiotics used to treat acne also have an anti-inflammatory solution. Here are some common antibiotics used for Acne Remedies:
Doxycycline and Minocycline
These two are the most common antibiotics for acne treatment. Certain medications do not go well with Doxycycline and they include contraceptive pills, Warfarin, and Penicillin. This antibiotic is very unsafe for pregnant women and women who are currently breastfeeding. It causes liver problems in pregnant women and affects bone development in the developing fetus.
Another FDA approved broad spectrum antibiotic is Minocycline and it’s mostly used for treatment of pustular acne. Skin and tooth discoloration is a major side effect of this antibiotic.
Trimoxazole
It is also known as Sulfamethoxazole. By inhibiting the synthesis of nucleic acid, it works by clearing away bacterial infections that cause acne. It is mostly used to clear away acne that does not respond well to other antibiotics. Trimoxazole is not prescribed during pregnancy period.
Isotretinoin (Accutane)
Widely known as Accutane, it has revolutionized the treatment of acne. This antibiotic not only reduces bacteria, it also reduces the output of oil in the sebaceous gland. By dramatically reducing blackheads and whiteheads, it brings acne under control and is generally used to treat cystic acne.
Treatment with this antibiotic causes the acne to appear more reddish and painful for a certain amount of time but will get better with time when the body adjusts to the medicine. To some, this may appear as a worsening case of acne but acne does not increase in number. For long term treatment of acne, this antibiotic is irreplaceable. Your doctor will check your blood weekly to make sure it is not harming your body due to how strong the medication is. Definitely discuss all possible side effects with your doctor before starting this treatment.
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is only used for treating severe bacterial infections. Both topical and oral forms of clindamycin are used to treat acne. Oral forms of this antibiotic can cause serious side effects including stomach cramps and diarrhea. Topical clindamycin is used to treat mild, moderate, and severe forms of acne. Topical and oral Clindamycin must be avoided during pregnancy and when breastfeeding.
Erythromycin: A commonly used antibiotic to get rid of acne during pregnancy, it is less tolerated by pregnant women when the esophageal sphincter is relaxed due to the developing baby. Erythromycin is an excellent antibiotic which works effectively to reduce the swelling along with the redness of comedones. Remember, long term use of antibiotics is not recommended to get rid of acne. Antibiotics are prescribed only to reduce the inflammatory response. However, it is a must to complete the entire course of any antibiotic to have desired results and have routine check-ups with your doctor.
