In the course of looking for acne treatment, antibiotics for acne become the most effective treatments recommended by dermatologists if natural and home remedies don’t help. Antibiotics are drugs that have anti-inflammatory properties killing the bacteria that cause acne. With antibiotic use, redness and swelling are decreased. Antibiotics that can be used in treating acne are in two forms – oral or topical. But for more effective results, oral antibiotics are used in conjunction with topical antibiotics.
Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics treatment begins with a high dose, usually 500mg twice a day, and is reduced when symptoms are resolved. In general it is prescribed for six months but can be used more or less depending on your case. Effectiveness is seen in four to six weeks after use.
Antibiotics for Acne
- Tetracyclines. The most common antibiotics prescribed for acne is tetracycline. It reduces papules and pustules. A starting dose of 500mg to 1000 mg twice per day is initially given and gradually reduced to 250 mg and finally discontinued when acne resolves.
Tetracycline reacts to gastric acid produced when food is eaten that is why it is advised to be taken in an empty stomach to achieve its full effect. Tetracycline is not given to children below 10 years of age because it may stain the teeth. It is also not given to pregnant women because it affects the development of the fetus’ bones and teeth. Tetracycline is not prescribed to breastfeeding mothers.
- Erythromycin. Erythromycin has more advantages than tetracycline. Aside from killing the bacteria that cause acne it also reduces redness and swelling. It is also given in full stomach to avoid gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea, diarrhea, colicky pain and vomiting. The dose begins with 250 mg to 500 mg and varies depending on the severity of acne. Unlike tetracycline, erythromycin can be given to pregnant women.
- Minocyclines. Minocycline is a synthetic derivative of tetracycline also used in treating acne. It is best used for acne with pustule type. Starting dose is given at 50 mg to 100 mg twice a day. Some of the side effects are dizziness, nausea, vomiting and discoloration of the skin and teeth in long term use.
- Doxycycline. Doxycycline is given to people who can’t tolerate erythromycin or tetracycline. Treatment starts with 50 mg to 100 mg twice a day. It is given with food to avoid nausea. Photosensitivity is a common side effect. Exposure to sun should be avoided because it can lead to sunburns.
Topical Antibiotics
Topical antibiotics are used in conjunction with oral antibiotics for better results. These are applied directly on the skin and are readily available in pharmacies. It may be in the form of gel, ointments or lotion.
- Clindamycin. Clindamycin is also an oral antibiotic but it is more commonly used as a topical antibiotic. It is proven to be safe and well tolerated. Common side effects are dryness and irritation of the skin. Major side effect leads to serious intestinal infection called pseudomembranous colitis caused by Clostridium dificile bacterium.
- Erythromycin. Due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, topical erythromycin is also good for treating acne. Like clindamycin it is also causes dryness and irritation of the skin but can be avoided by using oil free moisturizers. It is ideally used together with benzoyl peroxide or topical retinoids to avoid bacterial resistance.
Warning on Using Antibiotics for Acne
Treatment for acne varies for every individual. Dosages are higher or lower depending on the severity and how long acne has been present. To avoid hypersensitivity reactions, you must tell your doctors for known allergies before he prescribes one for you. Another major disadvantage of antibiotic use is it creates antibiotic resistant bacteria in long term use. That is why dermatologists limit prescribing oral antibiotics to avoid such.
What then Can be Alternative Acne Treatments?
Instead of using antibiotics for acne, you may invest on safer products that will not lead to future acne eruption. Some treatments for severe acne include a great formulation of a product that is sold in the market. An example of which is ClearPores.
ClearPores works like antibiotics for acne in that it targets the main cause of the problem. The only difference is that it does not create antibiotic resistant bacteria for prolonged use. In fact, the longer you use clear pores, the more you will see the best results of the product.
