Choices in Acne Treatment Medications
Most people with acne realize that there is no foolproof medication for acne treatment. However, acne can be controlled with certain medications, though it may take several weeks for the product to show visible results. In some cases, acne actually worsens in the initial weeks of treatment, but improves after that.
A number of prescription as well as over-the-counter acne treatment medications are available in the form of oral drugs or topical application creams/gels. A treatment that suits one person may not suit another; so one has to experiment and choose the most appropriate.
Acne Treatment Medications
There are many different courses of action available for treating acne. The mainstay method of treating acne systemically has been the use of oral antibiotics like Erythromycin and Tetracycline (and its derivatives like Minocycline), which are particularly effective against the bacteria causing inflammatory type of acne. But antibiotics may not suit everyone due to their side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
For acne caused by a hormonal imbalance in women, oral contraceptives have been shown to clear acne effectively by reducing the activity of the sebaceous glands. For acne that does not respond to antibiotics and other treatments, a natural derivative of vitamin A (Isotretinoin) in oral form of has been found to be very effective, however the side effects limit its use to just the most severe cases.
Apart from the oral drugs mentioned above, topical treatments too are effective in the treatment of acne. Commonly used topical treatments include topical antimicrobials like Azelaic acid, Benzoyl peroxide, Salicyclic acid, Sodium sulfacetamide, Erythromycin and Clindamycin as well as topical retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) like Adapalene, Tazarotene and Tretinoin.
All these medications may have some short-term or long-term side effects and therefore, must be taken only under the supervision of a dermatologist.
Vitamins & Supplements
Some vitamins and mineral supplements have also been found to be beneficial in treating acne. For example, Vitamin A, which is required for maintaining healthy skin and hormonal equilibrium, is prescribed routinely as a sort of acne treatment medication. Medical researchers have documented the fact that people who are gravely affected by acne have low levels of vitamin A in their blood. However, it is possible to overdose on vitamin A so it is important to only supplement under your doctor’s supervision.
Vitamin B6 has also helps in treating acne and one study has found it to be particularly helpful for teenage girls with menstruation problems. It may also be effective in women who suffer from adult acne.
Among minerals, zinc supplements have also been found to be beneficial in treating acne. Though the connection between zinc and acne has still not been established, what is known is that zinc deficiency in the body results in increased hormone production, which in turn can cause acne. Chromium and selenium are other minerals that are known to help treat acne.
These are a few of the commonly used acne treatment medications and supplements. In the end, effective acne treatment will always depend on your personal situation. Every person has a different response and finds success with different medications. So if you are affected by acne, be patient and follow your doctor’s advice.
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