Prescription Medication for Acne Treatment


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Prescription medications is probably the most common treatment for acne in the world today. After trying over-the-counter products, the next step for many people is to go to their doctor or dermatologist where prescription medication is often the first treatment that is recommended. There are a mind-boggling number of drugs that are used to treat acne and it is very likely that if one does not work for you, another one will do.

Because different people suffer from acne due to different conditions at work on and in their skin, there are a huge range of medications available. In order to control your acne your doctor or dermatologist will need to assess the cause of your specific condition in order to prescribe the most effective medication for you. This is not usually an easy task so sometimes the use of prescription drugs can be a bit hit and miss. This also explains why some medications won’t work for you but clear up your friend’s acne perfectly.


The drugs work in a number of different ways to combat acne. Some of them work by affecting the performance of the sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are tiny glands in your skin that produce a natural oil called sebum. Due to various factors in the body, sebaceous glands can tart to produce too much sebum that can cause your pores to become blocked. These pores can then attract dead skin cells and bacteria that can cause the blocked pores to become inflamed. This is when spots called papules, pustules and cysts appear on the skin. Prescription medication for acne often works by controlling the way your sebaceous glands function. Other medications work by reducing the number of bacteria on the skin or by controlling the way your skin sheds its dead skin cells. Some medications aim to treat the root cause of acne and are used to try to stabilise your hormonal levels which often are the reason your glands overproduce sebum.

As there are so many medications for acne, this guide will only cover a few of the most common prescription treatments for the condition. These drugs are:

  • Isotretinoin
  • Hormonal Treatments (oral contraceptives or anti-androgens)
  • Oral Antibiotics
  • Topical Antimicrobals

One of the most important things to bear in mind when using prescription medication for acne is that there is no miracle, overnight cure. In order to see results from your medication you will need to have used it properly for several months. This can be frustrating, especially if you want to be acne-free immediately. The main reason that the drugs don’t work is that people get disheartened and give up on taking them. The key to a successful prescription treatment for acne is patience and perseverance.

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