Acne antibiotics work to decrease both bacteria and inflammation, thus controlling breakouts. They’re most often combined with retinoids or benzoyl peroxide; topical clindamycin (Cleocin T, Clinda-Derm) and oral erythromycin (Akne-Mycin, ATS, Erycette Erygel Ilotycin) are popular choices.
Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat.
Topical Antibiotics
Contrasting oral antibiotics which must travel through the bloodstream to reach their target site in order to work, topical medication delivers concentrated amounts directly at the infection site, thus decreasing antibiotic consumption, increasing compliance, and decreasing bacterial resistance.
Local application of antibiotics does not have any detrimental side effects or disturb gut flora, making them ideal for mild to moderately severe acne treatment in conjunction with other therapies like retinoids or prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide. These antibiotics should generally only be prescribed when appropriate treatments such as these are being utilized.
Note, however, that overuse or prolonged use of topical antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistance, creating serious health concerns in terms of both your skin as well as infections of sinuses or lungs.
Systemic Antibiotics
Inflammatory acne lesions typically respond well to systemic antibiotics of the tetracycline family, including minocycline (also known as Dynacin, Minocin PAC, Myrac, Solodyn and Vectrin) and doxycycline (sold under various names such as Doryx Atridox Motrin Oracea Vibramycin).
Long-term antibiotic therapy may alter the composition of gut bacteria, leading to antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis and leading to increased susceptibility for infections among treated individuals.
Acne antibiotics help control acne by decreasing bacteria levels in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, while also decreasing inflammation by blocking production of prostaglandins – but their effect can be short-lived if other drugs interfere with them or they aren’t taken at the correct dose or length of time. Dermatologists frequently recommend additional remedies like benzoyl peroxide and adapalene gel as supplementary treatments alongside antibiotics for maximum effectiveness.
Combination Treatments
Acne medications often combine multiple ingredients that target various aspects of the disease. Examples include benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics in one medication or retinoids and anti-inflammatories in another; most come as cream or gel form for topical application to skin.
Benzoyl peroxide unclogs pores and reduces excess oil, while antibiotics kill P. acnes bacteria to stop further spread of inflammation. Retinoids help normalize follicular cells that produce and shed sebum, thus decreasing microbial proliferation.
Studies by ACCESS demonstrate that relatively short courses of oral antibiotics combined with topical retinoid/antimicrobial regimens are usually effective at providing acne control in most patients. Some may even enjoy clear or near clear skin even after discontinuation of the drugs; if your acne persists despite these methods, other alternatives should be considered – for example: changing oral antibiotics; adding combined oral contraception/spironolactone for females; or starting oral isotretinoin treatment may provide better control.
Side Effects
Topical antibiotics may help fight bacteria and decrease sebum production, but overusing these drugs increases their risks of becoming resistant, so use should only be as directed by your dermatologist.
Recent reviews on acne treatments revealed that oral antibiotics (like clindamycin and erythromycin ) and combination treatments ( including prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide and topical retinoids ) are the most effective at managing breakouts, as they help decrease inflammation, decrease oil production, and eradicate bacteria contributing to acne lesions.
Antibiotics work by subtly disrupting bacterial cell walls and interfering with peptidoglycans – the glycoprotein surface used by microorganisms to interact with their environment – leading to loss of structural integrity, cell death and inhibition of further growth by bacteria. Furthermore, this class of medications also has comedolytic properties by decreasing production of sebum-producing enzymes that generate sebum.