Best Antibiotic for Acne

Acne vulgaris, or simply acne, is a disheartening skin condition for many adolescents. The unsightly skin eruptions on the face, back, and other bodily areas are caused due to overproduction of oil by the sebaceous glands. The excess oil is unable to drain out, which overtime accumulates and causes clogging of the skin pores. This in combination with dead cells become a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in red skin, pain, and inflammatory symptoms. Most teenagers who have acne and pimples are on the search for best antibiotic for acne treatment.

Why Use Antibiotics for Acne Treatment?

Once thought to be caused by improper skin care, hereditary factor is partly responsible for causing acne. The reliable acne treatment options encompass usage of mild, perfume-free facial soaps, application of less oily skin creams, and more importantly, administration of antibacterial medications. The antibiotics work in many ways to combat acne problem, of which reducing or killing the causal bacterial strains is a major contribution. They are taken orally or applied topically, but at times, both oral and topical antibiotics are used concurrently.

What is the Best Antibiotic for Acne Treatment?

So, are there any specific antibiotics that work best for treating acne? Yes, there are some good acne antibiotics, which along with skin care tips work in treating acne vulgaris. The effectiveness and suitability of antibiotic may differ from one person to another, based on the body's sensitivity to a particular drug, severity of acne, and skin condition of the person. So, deciding a potent acne antibiotic and its dose are best done by the concerned dermatologist. Frequently prescribed antibiotic medications for acne and pimples treatment are highlighted below.

Tetracycline
While searching effective antibiotics for acne treatment, most probably you will come across the drug, Tetracycline. It is probably the most popularly recommended oral antibiotic for treating acne, pimples, and inflammatory skin conditions. For best results, it is taken between meals, in an empty stomach. While using Tetracycline for acne, the dosage is reduced gradually as soon as there is improvement in the skin symptoms.

Minocycline
Minocycline is also an antibiotic medication that possesses anti-inflammatory properties too. Belonging to the Tetracycline class of drugs, it helps in clearing severe forms of acne and controlling acne outbreak. Some users have reported 60 percent reduction in acne outbreak after taking Minocycline in the prescribed concentration. Minocycline not only reduces redness and swelling, but it also aids in acne scar treatment.

Doxycycline
In case of severe acne cases, which are non-responsive to Minocycline and Erythromycin, the dermatologist may suggest Doxycycline. A strong prescription drug, one should follow the doctor's recommendations while taking this antibiotic for acne treatment. The number of prescribed tablets per day depends on the concentration. Like for instance; a 50 mg Doxycycline may be taken twice daily, while a 100-mg tablet is taken only once in a day.

Erythromycin
Another antibacterial formulation considered as the best antibiotic for acne treatment is Erythromycin. Possessing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it disturbs the protein balance of the bacterial strains, thereby causing death of the microbes. Unlike Tetracycline, this tablet can be taken with or without food. While taking this medication, one should drink ample amounts of water to minimize side effects.

A non-antibiotic medication, called Accutane is considered to be a reliable alternative for treating severe acne types. Basically an oral formulation, this drug is taken only when antibiotics and other acne treatment approaches are showing no prompt results. Prior to taking Accutane, a thorough medical examination is performed and the doctor also analyzes the medical history of the patient. Antibiotics and Accutane are not recommended one at a time, as they may interact and cause severe medical complications.

Although taking antibiotics is an effectual therapeutic approach to get rid of unpleasant acne outbreaks, one should not overlook the common antibiotic side effects. People who have used acne antibiotics for a long time are more likely to develop upper respiratory tract infection than others. Hence, even the best antibiotic for acne should be advocated under the guidance of a trusted doctor. Whenever possible, the intake dose should also be kept minimal to avoid adverse effects.