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Effective Usage of Topical Medications in Acne

How to Get Rid of Pimples with Creams, Gels and Lotions

Nov 13, 2009 Hanish Babu

Topical medications are useful alone in the mild type and in combination with oral therapies in the moderate to severe types of acne.

Effective usage of topical treatments in acne depends upon the type, severity and extent of the acne. The age and sex of the patient and the psychological impact of the pimples on the adolescent has also to be taken into account.

The Common Topical Medications Used in Acne

There are many effective topical medications available to treat the pimples. Following are some common anti-acne formulations:

  1. Topical Retinoids. Tretinoin, isotretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene are the common topical retinoids available for topical treatment of acne. These are available as cream and gel formulations. Topical retinoids are useful in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory types of acne. These are the medications of choice for maintenance therapy in acne to prevent recurrences.
  2. Benzoyl Peroxide, in strengths of 2.5%, 5% and 10%, is available as gel formulations. BP is effective in controlling inflammatory acne.
  3. Topical Clindamycin. 1% Clindamycin is available as solution, lotion and gel and is used as morning application in combination with either topical retinoids or benzoyl peroxide at night in inflammatory type of acne.
  4. Topical Erythromycin. Erythromycin solution 2-4% is a safe alternative to clindamycin, especially in pregnancy and lactation. It is useful in the presence of inflammation.
  5. Topical nicotinamide 4% has been shown to be as effective as 1% clindamycin in controlling mild to moderate inflammatory pimples, though the number of studies is not enough to be of any conclusive value.
  6. Topical tetracycline, 10% sodium sulfacetamide, salicylic acid 2-5%, sulfur 5% and resorcinol are useful in inflammatory pimples, but have mostly been replaced by clindamycin and erythromycin as topical antibacterials.
  7. Azelaic Acid in Acne. Azelaic acid is a useful alternative in inflammatory acne because of its mild antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  8. Combination Therapies in Acne. Most often topical medications (retinoids and benzoyl peroxide) are used in combination with oral antibiotics and topical anti-bacterial medications are used in combination with retinoids or benzoyl peroxide. These combination therapies increase the efficacy and response rate of the acne treatments.
  9. Combination of zinc with topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide has been shown to increase the responsiveness of the topical medication than when it is used alone in acne.
  10. Combination of miconazole nitrate 2% with benzoyl peroxide 5% has been shown to be more effective in acne than BP used alone.

In addition to the above, anti-acne cleansers and non-comedogenic moisturizers are also important in the topical treatment of acne.

How to Choose Topical Medications in Different Types of Acne

Comedonal and papular acne responds best to topical retinoids. In mild inflammatory acne, a topical retinoid is used in the night and an anti-inflammatory agent, either benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid or antibiotics are used in the morning. When inflamed pustules are present, a combination of antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide gives best results.

For severe and very severe types of acne treatment, the topical anti-acne medications are used in conjunction with oral antibiotics. When oral isotretinoin is used, there is no need for concomitant use of topical medications.

Topical retinoids are used as maintenance therapy to prevent recurrences in all types of acne.

To sum up, topical medications, alone or in combination, are very useful in the treatment of various types of acne.

Effective Usage of Topical Medications in Acne: Related Article.

Sources

Disclaimer

The information given in this article is for educational purposes only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, Dr.Hanish Babu, MD or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences. The images provided are for illustration purposes only.

The copyright of the article Effective Usage of Topical Medications in Acne in General Medicine is owned by Hanish Babu. Permission to republish Effective Usage of Topical Medications in Acne in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Topical Medications in Acne., Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Topical Medications in Acne.
Comedones Best Treated with Topical Retinoids., Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Comedones Best Treated with Topical Retinoids.
Topical Antibiotics: Get Rid Inflamed Acne., Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Topical Antibiotics: Get Rid Inflamed Acne.
Combination Treatment: Moderate Acne., Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Combination Treatment: Moderate Acne.
Very Severe Acne: Combination Treatment., Dr.Hanish Babu, MD Very Severe Acne: Combination Treatment.
 
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