Acne Medications
Do you know which topical acne medication works best for you? Do you know what are the five top topical acne medications prescribed by dermatologist?
Acne is affecting majority of teenagers but it doesn’t spare other age-group too. People who have problems with hormonal imbalance and lifestyle are the most acne-prone individuals. We can find gazillion acne products both over-the-counter and prescription medications in almost all shapes and forms available in the market. Are they all effective? Do they meet the individual need of a patient’s skin problem? With that in mind, I would like to share with you the top five topical acne medications prescribed to treat and control acne.
The Top 5 Topical Acne Medications
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1. Tretinoin / Isotretinoin
Tretinoin or Retinoic acid is a Vitamin A derivative use to treat acne. It is available in cream, gel and lotion forms. It is considered to be beneficial in patients with extensive comedones, papules and pustules. . It creates an environment not suitable for the causative organism Propionibacterium acne to proliferate.
Precautions
It should not be applied to eyes, mouth, mucous membranes or open wounds. It can also cause severe irritation. Avoid exposure to sunlight is advised. It should not be used during pregnancy and lactation or if you have history of cutaneous epithelomia.
How to use
Wash face with mild soap. Apply the cream at least 20 minutes after it dries up. It should be applied lightly once a day at night before retiring to sleep using a pea-size enough only to cover the affected areas. The frequency of application can be adjusted to obtain maximum effect and to avoid scaling.
2. Benzyl Peroxide
Benzyl peroxide has antibacterial property that makes it effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Its efficacy against Propionibacterium acne is due to the release of free radical – oxygen capable of oxidizing bacterial proteins. It can cause drying and peeling.
Precautions
Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membrane. It may bleach air and fabrics. Avoid exposure to sunlight.
How to use
It is available in gel and cream and in various strength concentrations. It should be applied once or twice daily after washing with mild cleanser and water.
3. Clindamycin
Clindamycin phosphate is an antibactericidal. The enzyme phosphatase on the skin hydrolyze clindamycin phosphate to antibacterially active clindamycin base. Clindamycin shows in-vitro activity against Propionibacterium acnes.
Contraindications
It is contraindicated to hypersensitivity to clindamycin or lincomycin or a history of enteritis, ulcerative colitis or antibiotic – associated colitis.
How to use
Apply thin film to the affected area twice daily. It comes in lotion and solution forms.
4. Adapalene
The exact mode of action is unknown but topically it is believed to normalize the differentiation if follicular epithelial cells resulting in decreased microcomedone formation. It is indicated for the topical treatment of acne on the face, chest, back where the skin may have lots if blackheads, spots and pimple.
Precautions
Do not apply to chest if you are breastfeeding. Din use in children
How to use
Apply a thin film to the affected and the surrounding area in the evening before bedtime. Wash hands after use.
5. Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid works by killing acne bacteria that infect skin pores. It also decreases the production of keratin, which is a natural substance that promotes the growth of acne bacteria.
In general, all of these medications should be taken with precaution and contraindicated if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have sensitivity to any of the ingredients. They should not be used in the eye area, mouth, mucous membrane and open wounds. They all caused irritation and redness which will subside days after your initial use.
Avoid exposure to sunlight is also advised and if you must, then used high SPF sunscreen.
Dermatology
As a pharmacist, I am faced everyday with prescriptions coming from doctors from all field of specialties. In the hospital where I worked, Dermatology is one of the busiest clinic. Why not? Everyone is into beautification and who on earth doesn’t want to look and feel good about their skin, right? With all the free radicals, internal and external factors affecting our lifestyle, evidently it is also affecting our skin. Poor skin condition does play a great impact on our self-confidence. After all, we face people everyday and our skin is the first thing people would notice in us. No wonder, dermatology business is booming everywhere and have already made billionaires around the world.
It is very important that it should be made known to patients to understand acne and its underlying causes. Patients should be counseled by skin professionals and not just apply anything to their face without consultation. In some cases, these actions will cause further damage to skin. Not all patients respond to the same treatment. While there are many cosmetic preparations that manage and control acne, some could made the acne worst. What might work for your friend might not work for you. If your acne don’t respond to conventional creams and lotions or to over-the-counter medications, you should then consider seeing a dermatologist to work up on your case.
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That would be all for today guys! If you know effective acne medications that you want to share with us, please leave your comments down below. I’m sure, there are many patients out there who are looking for the right product to help them combat acne. Till my next post…
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