Acne Medicines
A wide variety of prescription or synthetic medications are available for treating acne. Synthetic medications can be used for mild to severe acne. Most people are unaware of facts of these medications. The article covers facts of some of the medications including their possible side effects and efficacy etc.
Isotretinoin:
Isotretinoin is synthetic retinoids used for cystic or very severe acne. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A. Isotretinoin is used when bacteria are resistant to other medications. Isotretinoin may cause side effects. Therefore, do consult your dermatologist before taking Isotretinoin.
Antibiotics:
Oral antibiotics are prescribed to treat acne caused by bacterial or fungal infection. In case of bacterial infection, antibiotic target propionibacteria, a major contributing factor in developing acne. The treatment may take up to six months in complete eradication of bacterial colonies. The antibiotic, in turn, reduces inflammation when infection is gradually healing. Antibiotics used for acne covers a broad spectrum of bacteria both gram-positive and gram-negative. The continuous use of antibiotics may cause resistance against the bacteria. Thus, do consult your dermatologist before taking and stopping antibiotics. Your dermatologist may prescribe topical antibiotics that readily penetrate into the affected area.
Contraceptive Pills:
Contraceptives or birth control pills are prescribed to treat acne caused due to hormonal fluctuation in women. Women who smokes, having blood clotting disorder or older than 35 must apprise their doctor and consult for its safety and side effects.
Contraceptive pills directly influence on hormones and inhibit over production of sebum.
Topical Retinoids:
There are many topical retinoids, some of them are:
- Tazarotene
- Tretinoin
- Adapalene
Tazarotene:
It is a synthetic retinoid avail as a gel or cream. It unclogs the hair follicles to ensure efficient flow of sebum. Pregnant women should not use it as it has produce birth defects in animals. Dermatologists must prescribe contraceptives in conjunction of Tazarotene to eliminate the risks of getting pregnant.
Tretinoin:
Tretinoin, a natural retinoid used for unclogging the hair follicles to ensure continuous and uninterrupted flow of sebum. It may cause red spots, rash, itchiness and burning sensation. The newer forms of retinoids produce fewer side effects as compare to previous forms.
Adapalene:
A synthetic retinoid used for unclogging the pores and reducing inflammation of sebaceous glands and hair follicles. Reduction in inflammation results in uninterrupted sebum discharge from the skin to its outer surface.
Conclusion:
Although, there are a wide variety of synthetic acne drugs, dermatologist should choose a drug that produce fewer side effects and works better. Besides synthetic remedies, herbal remedies are as effective as systemic remedies and their side effects are rare.
