Treating acne can be very frustrating. Our patients often come to us after having tried many over-the-counter treatments and products. But sometimes, it takes a more powerful medication to really treat and heal acne. Oral medications are a great option for many reasons, they treat and kill the P. acnes bacteria from the inside out and they also help regulate the hormones that lead to acne flare ups. Here, a look at the top
oral prescription medications to treat acne:
Doxycycline: A member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics, Doxycycline kills the P. acnes bacteria that leads to the formation of acne.
Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole: These antibiotics are macrolide antibiotics and are sometimes found to treat cystic acne that does not respond to other acne treatments.
Oral contraceptives: Birth control pills are an effective treatment for women who are battling acne. Oral contraceptives work to suppress the androgen hormones, which are responsible for sebum secretion. Birth control pills are a great option for women who need to use a contraceptive as well as treat their acne.
All oral medications work best when used with a skin care regimen and in-office procedures.
