What Are The Common Prescription Acne Medications?

Acne may affect over nine percent of individuals around the world. Thus, it appears to be fairly common. However, many acne patients struggle to treat their condition. Part of the reason for this may be that acne seems to have many causes. In addition, some individuals may have inflammatory acne, and others may have non-inflammatory acne. The former may be more common, though it also appears to be more painful. Inflammatory acne seems to cause acne scarring more often as well.

Most individuals will consider acne treatment. Some patients seem to see results with over-the-counter treatments for acne. Common choices appear to include a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash and spot treatments. Home remedies for acne seem to be growing in popularity. However, prescription acne medication may be becoming more common as well. Of course, individuals may want to understand the common options for prescription medication for acne first.

Dapsone

In gel form, dapsone seems to have gained attention recently as a possible acne treatment. Most patients appear to apply it in a thin layer to their skin. This antibiotic should help destroy bacteria and reduce skin inflammation. Unfortunately, it is not clear precisely why this medication is effective on acne. However, it does seem to be suitable for mild to moderate cases only, not severe ones. Dapsone may be less effective at treating non-inflammatory acne than inflammatory.

Patients seem to use dapsone as a five percent concentration most of the time. They may use it twice a day and still tolerate it well. It may take twelve weeks for results to start appearing. Some patients may use a 7.5 percent concentration once a day instead. Recent research suggests that this may be more effective.

Learn about more acne medications that may need a prescription now.