0 A guide to prescription acne treatments

Prescription medications for Acne is one of the most effective treatments available.  There are a number of different approaches you can take, so it is useful to know a little bit about the different drugs: how they work, what side effects are possible and what results you can expect.  Some of the ingredients are very powerful and can even be dangerous if you do not follow the guidelines for use.

Oral medications:
• Spironolactone (also marketed as Aldactone) is primarily a diuretic with a number of applications, such as monitoring blood pressure.  It is used in acne treatment to block the androgen receptors.  Androgen male hormones present in both sexes and is responsible for the production of sebum, which in excess can cause acne.  Side effects may include (but are not limited to) muscle weakness, bleeding and bruising, muscle cramps, pain, loss of energy or appetite.

• Isotretinoin (also known as Accutane) is a derivative of vitamin A, originally developed for use in chemotherapy for cancer treatment.  After the prescribed only for severe cases of acne, it has become more popular due to its effectiveness in producing long-term remission of acne symptoms.  This reduces the size of sebaceous glands in the skin, as well as the volume of oil.  However, the symptoms and side effects from drugs remains controversial; Current studies are examining possible links with Accutane induced depression and suicide.  There may be other consequences of such (partial list) birth defects, Visual impairment, ulcerative colitis, liver damage, bleeding from the nose, headaches, eczema rash reactions, muscle pain, or dry skin.

• Antibiotics fight p. acnes bacteria that cause breakouts and act as anti-inflammatories.  The standard course of treatment is about six months; antibiotic resistance can develop with long-term use.  Antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills and increase your Sun sensitivity.  Check for side effects on certain types.  Among them is most often used in the treatment of acne are:
Tetracycline, probably the most commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne and is effective in reducing acne
Minocycline, tetracycline derivative, particularly effective for Pustular acne and seems to produce less antibiotic resistance.
Doxycycline is a derivative of synthetic tetracycline, which may be used by these intolerant tetracycline or erythromycine.

Bactrim (also known as Septra) treats infections by inhibiting folic acid, which promotes the spread of bacteria.
Birth control pills in the form of a low dose can be useful in clearing acne, as they regulate the excess production of androgens, which increase the production of sebum.  However, there is some evidence linking them to heart attack, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer, so if you really do not require birth control acne problems better dealt with by other means.