The main goal of acne treatment is to prevent scarring. Additional goals are to reduce the number of painful lesions and to minimize the psychological stress and embarrassment caused by this disease. Doctors often use drug therapy as the first choice for treating acne. Drug therapy is aimed at reducing several problems that play a part in causing acne: abnormal clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production, the bacterium P. acnes, and inflammation. Depending on the severity of the person's acne, the doctor will recommend one of several OTC or prescription topical medications (medication applied to the skin) or a prescription systemic medication (medication taken by mouth). The doctor may suggest using more than one topical medication or using both an oral medication and a topical medication at the same time.
Common Over-the-Counter Topical Medications Used To Treat Acne
- Generic Name :Benzoyl peroxide cream, gel,lotion, or soap.
Brand Name: Clearasil, Fostex, PanOxyl Dryox, Persa-Gel - Generic Name: Salicylic acid
Brand Name: PROPApH, Stridex, Oxy Night Watch, Clearasil Clearstick Maximum Strength - Generic Name: Sulfur
Brand Name: Sulpho-Lac Acne Medication,Liquimat, Therac Lotion, Sulmasque - Generic Name: Benzoyl peroxide and sulfur
Brand Name: Dryox 10S, Dryox 20S 10, Sulfoxyl - Generic Name: Sulfur and resorcinol
Brand Name: Sulforcin Lotion, Rezamid Lotion, Acnomel Cream
Brand names included in this fact sheet are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
Reprinted from The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
