Antibiotics for Acne

If you have tried over-the-counter methods of treating acne and nothing seems to help, it may be time for you to seek the help of a medical professional who can prescribe antibiotics for acne treatment. If it seems like you are never without pimples, taking antibiotics for acne may cause you to see improvement in short order.

Most often, tetracycline is prescribed for common acne. It is used in the form of oral medication, and should not be taken by pregnant women or children under nine years of age. It is also more effective when taken on an empty stomach; this can pose a bit of difficulty for active teens, whose calorie requirements make them constantly hungry.

Minocycline is one of the antibiotics for acne that has been used successfully for decades, and is especially effective for treating pustular acne. Like tetracycline, its absorption is lessened when taken with food, but not significantly. Side effects to watch out for include dizziness and nausea, as well as changes in skin pigmentation and tooth discoloration which happen when used for a prolonged period.

Erythromycin is another of the commonly prescribed antibiotics for acne. In addition to doing away with bacteria associated with acne, it helps reduce redness by being somewhat anti-inflammatory. Unlike tetracycline, it is better absorbed by the body when taken with food and therefore may be a better solution for treating acne in teens.

Another of the antibiotics for acne is doxycycline, which can be taken by those who cannot tolerate the taking of tetracycline or erythromycin. However, it may cause significant nausea if it is not taken with food.

Anyone taking antibiotics for acne should follow the prescriber’s directions to the letter, taking the medication on time and in the right dose, and read the literature that comes with the prescription as to side effects. For example, many antibiotics can increase sun sensitivity substantially. Women taking antibiotics for acne should be aware of an increased risk of vaginal yeast infection, especially when using tetracycline. In addition, any of the antibiotics for acne used orally can decrease the effectiveness of some birth control prescriptions.