Acne antibiotics, such asdoxycyclineandminocycline, are medications prescribed for moderate to severeacnethat does not respond to other treatments.
Acne antibiotics work by decreasing the number of bacteria that become trapped in and around hair follicles andsebaceous glands.
While effective, these drugs have side effects that should be considered.
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This article details the antibiotics commonly used to treat acne and how they work.
Whether applied topically or taken orally, acne antibiotics stop the growth of acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
In doing so, acne antibiotics prevent bacteria from clogging hair follicles andsebaceousglands.
How Long Does It Take for Acne Antibiotics to Work?
The recommended course will, however, differ depending on the medication used and your skin.
It’s important to complete the full course of any antibiotic treatment prescribed for acne.
Don’t expect immediate results.
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is one of the first-line treatments for acne and has replaced tetracycline in popularity.
Oral doxycycline is started at a dose of 50 milligrams (mg) to 100 mg twice a day.
It should be taken with food; otherwise, it can cause significant nausea.
The dose can then be decreased to 250 mg twice a day or discontinued.
Tetracycline should not be given to people who are pregnant or children under 9 years of age.
Tetracycline may cause stomach upset.
Eating it with non-dairy foods is often advised, as dairy products decrease absorption and render it less effective.
It is especially useful forpustular pop in acne.
The usual starting dose is 50 mg to 135 mg twice a day.
The skin and tooth changes are seen more often in people who have taken minocycline for a long time.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is not considered a first-line drug for treating acne.
Amoxicillin is not associated with fetal birth defects when taken by pregnant people.
However, it may be a good option for people with allergies to doxycycline and other first-line drugs.
Amoxicillin is available under these brand names: Amoxicot, Amoxil, DisperMox, and Moxilin.
Can Amoxicillin Worsen Acne?
Some topical antibiotics can lead to symptoms associated with skin purging, such as dry and flaky skin.
Systemic antibiotics like amoxicillin are less likely to cause this, however.
Topical Antibiotics
Clindamycin is most widely prescribed as a topical antibiotic.
difficileinfection is much more common with oral clindamycin but has been reported with the topical product as well.
Which Antibiotic Is Best for Acne?
The most effective and safe antibiotic treatment for acne depends on the case and the throw in of acne.
Doxycycline remains among the most commonly prescribed acne antibiotics, along with minocycline and sarecycline.
Antibiotic Side Effects
All antibiotics can cause vaginal yeast infections.
Tetracycline seems to be the antibiotic that most frequently has this side effect.
This, however, has impacted the overall effect of antibiotics on acne.
As is the case with prescribing any medication, the risks have to be weighed against the rewards.
Discuss all of your options with your healthcare provider.
As with any medication, side effects may occur.
Fortunately, there are several different choices available if one of the above is not helpful.
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