Prescription Medications for Acne
Men and women of all ages suffer from acne on a daily basis, and with so many treatment choices available it is often difficult to choose one that is both safe and effective. Many prescription medications for acne have harmful side effects, and it is important to understand these before undergoing a course of treatment.
Benzoyl Peroxide
Acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide as their active ingredient are available over-the-counter in most areas, but prescription-strength preparations are available to those who are not helped by store-bought remedies. Like many other medications, prescription-strength benzoyl peroxide contains more of the active ingredient so there is a bigger risk of developing bothersome side effects during treatment. Redness, drying, peeling and irritation are all reported with this medication, and they can range from mild to severe. In order to reduce the occurrence and severity of benzoyl peroxide-related side effects, it is important to use the least amount of product that treats the acne effectively.
Salicylic Acid
When acne first becomes a problem, people often reach for medications containing salicylic acid above all others. This tried-and-true ingredient can be found in dozens of over-the-counter and prescription medications and the side effects resemble those that result from the use of benzoyl peroxide. Redness, irritation, pain, peeling and drying have been reported with the use of salicylic acid-containing products. In order to reduce the severity of these side effects, physicians and dermatologists recommend gradually building up to the lowest concentration of salicylic acid that effectively treats their blemishes and using it for the shortest length of time possible.
Antibiotics
Acne can become infectious at times, especially when there is a presence of acne-related cysts or nodules on the skin. Antibiotics are often prescribed when this happens, and there is an entire range of side effects that can occur from them. Bacterial resistance occurs when the strain of bacteria responsible for the blemishes becomes immune to the antibiotics used to treat it. Digestive issues are a common complaint with many types of antibiotics, but there are natural actions that can be taken to fight them. Allergic reactions including hives and facial swelling that can result in an inability to breathe require immediate medical attention.
Accutane
Accutane was once a very commonly prescribed medication for acne, but due to recent advances in medicine and the development of gentler treatments it is no longer used as often as it once was. Despite this, there are some individuals who are only helped by Accutane treatment, and a host of side effects can result from the use of this drug. These include unusual hair growth and skin sensations, bleeding from the gums, dizziness, dry eyes and mouth and chapped lips. More serious side effects of Accutane may include vision changes, vomiting, and sensitivity to the sun, pancreatitis, or severe allergic reactions that can lead to death. Patients using Accutane should be very closely monitored during treatment.
When acne becomes bothersome or persists, the only course of treatment that works is often prescription medication. Although these medications can help treat and stave off acne, patients and their physicians should always be aware of, and on the lookout for, any of the side effects that they can cause.
