Antibiotics are among the most commonly sought, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines for treating acne. Such antibiotics are available in the topical and oral form. Antibiotics work by gradually killing the bacteria found within the acne. They also help to reduce the inflammatory biochemicals that are secreted by acne-marred skin. These medications reduce the concentration of free fatty acids within the sebum that helps to control the inflammation. Some of the most common anti-acne Antibiotics have been listed below:

Tetracycline

This is amongst the earliest of antibiotics to be used for treating acne. It is usually prescribed as tablets. The dosage is gradually reduced until the acne start fading-away. However, tetracycline is not easily tolerated by all people. It tends to induce digestive problems among many users. Its utility in cases of hormone-induced acne is also suspect. It is not recommend to young children and pregnant women.

Erythromycin

Erythromycin is used in the oral and topical form. It is recommended for its ability to reduce the inflammation along with killing the bacteria. Being a broad-spectrum anti-bacterial agent, it can be used for treating most types of bacterial acne. However, Erythromycin is known to cause excessive skin dryness. This can make the skin flaky and itchy, sometimes inducing severe irritation.

Minocycline

Minocycline is actually a derivative of Tetracycline. It is regarded as a more progressive form of Tetracycline. It is more suited for treating pustular type of acne. It is also more capable of reducing inflammation. Side effects associated with Minocycline usage include skin pigmentation, dizziness, tooth discoloration and nausea. Doctors strictly advise against the prolonged usage of Minocycline.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is the preferred anti-acne medication if the patient seems to have high intolerance for Erythromycin and Tetracycline. Doxycycline is usually tolerated better and doesn’t induce digestive side-effects. However, Doxycycline can make the skin hypersensitive towards sun-induced damage.

Clindamycin

This is a popular antibiotic. Clindamycin is tolerated well across most types of skin. However, it can cause skin dryness. Thus, its use among people with naturally dry skin is not recommended. Aggravation of sky dryness can cause flakiness of the skin. The skin debris created because of excessive dryness contributes towards increased blockage of hair follicles. One serious side effect associated with Clindamycin therapy is the possibility of the user developing Pseudomembranous colitis. This is a type of intestinal infection.

Medications usually combined with antibiotics:

1.  Benzoyl Peroxide (Anti-Microbial Agent)

Benzoyl Peroxide can kill the acne-causing bacteria but doesn’t have anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it is combined with oral antibiotics that can alleviate inflammation, such as Erythromycin and Clindamycin.

2. Isotretinoin (Retinoid)

This is a very potent but slightly-controversial option. Isotretinoin-formulated creams often feature among the latest OTC anti-acne creams. Isotretinoin is known to be quite effective. However, it can cause exaggerated reaction in the facial skin. Most physicians like to recommend Isotretinoin creams only when the acne is severe, such as cases of chronic Cystic Acne.

Serious Concerns Associated with Extended Antibiotic Usage

Even the most conventional of antibiotics, like Tetracycline, can induce side effects. For instance, Tetracycline is known to increase the vulnerability of women to candida vaginal yeast infections. Some oral antibiotics are known to disrupt the hormonal balance that is critical for maintaining fertility in women. These concerns are more likely if the antibiotic regimen is continued over a long period.

Understand Antibiotic Resistance

It has been found that some acne-causing bacteria become resistant to certain types of antibiotics. This is because some of the antibiotics used for treating acne are commonly prescribed for various other diseases/conditions. As a result, most people have used such medications in the past. Due to this, some of the bacterial strains develop a natural defence mechanism against certain antibiotics. More evidence is surfacing across research studies, proving that many, popular OTC antibiotics are indeed ineffective due to increased antibiotic resistance.

Better Options for Acne Treatment than Antibiotics

Many commonly-prescribed antibiotics are associated with a wide range of side effects. It has been observed that even sustained use of antibiotics doesn’t ensure protection against recurrence of acne. Most antibiotics creams/lotions offer temporary cessation of symptoms only. Thus, the overall effectiveness of antibiotics as a comprehensive Acne Treatment is a bit challenged. It’s better to try acne medications that work without the danger of side-effects. Thus, trying naturally-formulated popular acne treatments is recommended that guarantee safety and effectiveness.