Antibiotics are effective in treating most inflammatory acne. They work by killing the acne causing skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes. Antibiotics also work by decreasing the redness and swelling seen in the inflammatory forms of acne. However, they have little effect on unplugging blocked pores, that is blackheads and whiteheads. Antibiotics for acne are used in nearly every acne case there is. The length of treatment depends on how severe your acne is. It can last for as little as four weeks and as long as years. If it lasts for years it just means that some treatments did not work and you have had to start a new one. The one treatment however can go for as long as 20 weeks or longer. Treatments do fail though regularly, that is why it can take years. People tend to just give up on them and discontinue their medications. When resistance occurs, acne is no longer controlled. Another antibiotic or alternative treatment can be prescribed. When your acne has cleared you do not have to keep taking the medications just a “maintenance” treatment, or topical creams, to prevent it from coming back.
Antibiotics for acne is used to treat inflammatory pustules by killing the bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes or P. acnes for short) that causes them. It is also used to treat the redness swelling of the acne but it do not help to unplug pores, the black and whiteheads. Acne is treated with a very high dose of oral antibiotics and gradually reduced as the the acne reduces. Prescriptions will last for as long as six months sometimes even shorter. Sometimes the P. acnes will become accustomed to the treatment and your subscription will have to be changed. But with oral antibiotics you will have greater and more severe side effects.
Some antibiotics for acne are Tetracycline, Doxycycline, and Minocycline. These are the most commonly used to treat acne. They should not be taken by children younger then 8 years old or by nursing or pregnant women. Tetracycline starts at 500mg twice a day and is the most commonly used out of the 3 prescribed. It also gets reduces after time and eliminated altogether. The downside is that it must be taken on an empty stomach and for any teenager, especially growing boys, that is hard to do. Doxycycline is also effective to treat inflamed acne. It is more bearable to take then tetracycline. Its dosage starts at 50-100 mg two times a day and should be taken with food. If not it could make you feel nauseous. It can also increase your sensitivity to sun and cause sunburns. Minocycline is common to use when acne has not responded to anything else. The dosage starts at 50-100mg two times a day. It also produces fewer cases of antibiotic for acne resistance.. the effectiveness does however get reduced if taken with food.
Some topical antibiotic for acne are Clindamycin, Erythromycin, as well as, Azelaic acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, and Salicylic Acid. Topical antibiotics kill the P.acnes and reduces the sebum oil production. Clindamycin works by killing the P. acnes and reduces inflammation. Some side effects are dryness and irritation. Erythromycin is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory cream. When it is combined with benzoyl peroxide it is very effective. The combination proves to be quite effective as the patient gets the effects of two antimicrobial agents. Its side effects are the same dryness and irritation of the skin. It can also be given to women who are pregnant.
A few other antibiotics for acne are:
-Adapalene (differin)
-Tretinoin (retin-a, retin- micro, avita, renove
-Tazarotene (Avage)
-Tazarotene (Tazorac)
-Accutane
-Birth control pills
