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Can Prescription Treatments Help Your Acne?

By Sleep Health Energy Team · · Updated

prescription treatment for acne
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​Guest post by Abbie of Pretty Little Skin.

Many people who have spent time suffering with acne often take frequent visits to the doctor, hoping that they will find something that works for them and can cure them of their acne.

I know that this has been the case for me, over the years I have quite possibly had 50+ GP visits or dermatology visits.

But what do they prescribe? And does it work?

I decided to take this time to go through the ins-and-outs of prescription acne treatments, the various categories and how they aim to treat such a frustrating and self-esteem breaking skin condition.

Topical Lotions

On your first few doctors visits regarding your skin, the treatment plan will most likely be topical creams & lotions. You apply these directly to your skin in the areas that are affected.

A common ingredient in these lotions is benzoyl peroxide. It kills acne-causing bacteria and helps clear pores. The American Academy of Dermatology notes it works best combined with another acne treatment.

For many people with mild acne and tolerable (non-sensitive skin) this is the perfect treatment. I would recommend this treatment if it’s your first flare-up of acne as it may work for you.

If like me however, you suffer from dry or sensitive skin, then this can burn and cause the skin to become sore.

The Low-Down on Benzoyl Peroxide:

If it’s your first acne outbreak then give it a try (patch test on another less visible area of your body i.e. your back / chest). If it works with no irritation, great! See irritation? Skip it!

Some other topical lotion ingredients:

Salicylic acid is another common ingredient in topical lotions, which also works to unclog pores, however it has little effect on sebum production and fighting bacteria. You can find many drug-store treatments / cleansers that contain this which may help additionally in combination with another topical lotion.

Adapalene is a retinoid treatment that helps clear pores and calms inflammation. In the USA it can be bought over-the-counter, known as ‘Differin’. In other countries this is prescribed, such as the UK. I've always had pretty decent results with adapalene and little skin irritation.

Adapalene also comes combined with benzoyl peroxide in a gel called Epiduo, which can work well if your skin tolerates benzoyl peroxide.

Antibiotics

If you’ve tried a few lotions and they’re not helping then the next option is usually antibiotic treatment.

Antibiotics reduce the acne-causing bacteria in your pores and calm inflammation. They come as tablets or as topical creams and gels.

Dermatologists now use antibiotics for the shortest time needed and pair them with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid, which lowers the risk of antibiotic resistance, according to the AAD.

My personal experience with antibiotics:

The antibiotic tablets I've tried previously include Tetracycline and Erythromycin. Neither of these treatments dramatically improved my skin, which was very frustrating. After my recent acne flare-up, I decided to visit the doctor.

She prescribed me the antibiotic minocycline. After about 4 days taking minocycline my skin began to improve and I was feeling pleasantly surprised.

However, the next day I started to feel very sick and was suffering with headaches, which continued over the next few days. Unfortunately, the doctor concluded I was likely having a reaction to the antibiotics and I decided to stop taking them.

The following month I went back to the doctor. This time they gave me a topical antibiotic - Clindamycin Phosphate.

I’ve now been using clindamycin phosphate for around 6 months and I think this is the best antibiotic / topical cream I’ve ever tried. (Editor’s note: guidelines advise using topical antibiotics alongside benzoyl peroxide rather than alone, so ask your doctor about combining them.)

Before being on Accutane, antibiotics and creams never helped me. This lotion does not dry out my skin, which is definitely hard to find in acne treatments. It’s also very easy to apply before make-up!

Contraceptive Pill (Ladies Only!)

If you’re female, your doctor may suggest this option. Combined contraceptive pills can help acne in some people by lowering the hormones that drive oil production.

Hormone levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle and this can lead to increased sebum production, resulting in acne.

The more androgens a women produces then the more sebum produced. Combined pills contain estrogen and a progestin, which lower androgen activity and consequently reduce sebum.

My personal experience with the contraceptive pill:

When I was 15, I was given Dianette (cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol), which did work wonders for me.

It carries a higher risk of blood clots than some other pills, which is why doctors limit how long it is used. They only allowed me to have it for a year. For some people this will be enough to keep their acne at bay permanently. However, once I stopped then the acne appeared as severely as before. It’s worth asking your doctor whether a pill is right for you, since every option has risks.

On a recent visit to the doctor I was given a new contraceptive pill called sprintec (norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol). This seems to be helping so far in conjunction with my current antibiotic cream.

Prior to this I was taking Femodene (ethinylestradiol and gestodene), which I didn’t think was helping. In the weekly break from taking the pill my skin seemed to improve, when typically it should be worse.

I had this problem with another pill, Yasmin (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol), which is normally given to those with acne.​

The Last Resort: Accutane (Isotretinoin)

Isotretinoin probably deserves its own entire post, as there is a lot to say. Dermatologists reserve it for severe acne that hasn’t responded to other treatments. It works mainly by sharply reducing sebum (oil) production.

Whilst doing this it dries everything out. Dry, cracked lips, dry skin, dry eyes and a dry nose are very common. The label also warns it may cause depression, other mood changes or suicidal thoughts, so any mood change should be reported to your doctor right away.

Isotretinoin causes severe birth defects. In the US it is only available through the iPLEDGE program, which requires pregnancy tests and two forms of birth control for anyone who can become pregnant, according to MedlinePlus.

Many people initially experience a severe breakout in the first few weeks of treatment. However, this eventually subsides and normally leaves you with clear skin. A course usually lasts about 4 to 5 months, though it varies with the dose and how you respond.

My personal experience with Isotretinoin:

Nearly two years ago I had just finished my 7-month course of isotretinion, it was a hard process causing me severely dry skin, dehydration (leading to headaches), extreme sun sensitivity and no drinking alcohol!

If you google the side effects of Isotretinoin it can honestly be scary to read. However, my skin was amazing after this treatment, for about 18 months; I don’t think I've ever been so happy with my skin. I thought this was the cure.

Many people take two courses, but to take it again would be a big decision for me. I've had quite a few breakouts recently, but I’m not sure if it’s enough for me to try a second course. If my skin continues to get worse then I think I would talk to my dermatologist about another course of Isotretinoin.

It should always be taken under close medical supervision, with mood monitored, but for me it was definitely worth it.

So, that’s the general idea of each type of prescription acne treatment. Speaking to your doctor is very important if your acne is beginning to get you down or affect your day-to-day life.

They may be able to try you on one of these treatments that could just help boost that confidence! And remember, persevere with these treatments. The AAD says it takes at least 6 to 8 weeks to see fewer breakouts, which can be frustrating but you have to try.

Abbie of Pretty Little Skin

Abbie struggled with acne for many years before deciding to create her blog, Pretty Little Skin, to help others who struggle with the same issues. Having tried pretty much every treatment in the book herself, she shares honest accounts and pictures of her experience. Her story is personal; your dermatologist can tell you which treatments suit your skin.

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