Sulphur, the all important constituent of earlier acne treatments, is slowly giving way to newer drugs - retinoic acid and benzoyl peroxide. These cause scaling and redness of the skin but these side effects are very necessary for the agents to be effective. Locally applied antibiotics have been used to decrease the bacteria in the acne. Erythromycin lotion, an effective treatment and acts as a anti acne agent, it has been recently introduced in the market.
Preparations containing sodium lactate or azelaic acid are also very effective for acne treatment.
Oral drugs are required when acne is severe and cannot be controlled by local measures. Oral antibiotics then form the pivot of therapy: the most frequently used antibiotic is tetracycline, though sulphas and erythromycin can also be used. Despite prolonged use, say for six months to a year, no serious side effects are associated with the use of tetracyclines.
Hormonal preparations have also been found useful in the treatment of acne. The contraceptive pill is used only if the patient has not improved with antibiotics treatment. Anti androgens are also used sometimes.
A note of caution is that these drugs should be used by women only, as they have unpleasant sideeffects in men.
A drug, isotretinoin, has revolutionalised the treatment of acne, especially the severe variety. It is a derivative of vitamin A. This medicine holds hope for patients suffering from severe forms of acne.
Acne Scars which result from acne require specialized care and management. This aspect of acne is discussed later.
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