Dermatologist Prescription Acne Treatments | Topical Medications: Retin-A, Differin, Tazorac, Azelex, Aczone

Prescription Topical Acne Medications

Depending on the severity of your acne, an acne doctor (dermatologist) may suggest prescription medications. Prescription medications come as both topical and oral. There are several types of prescription topical medicines that can be used to treat acne.

Acne creams and lotions

Topical prescription acne drugs include:

• Antibiotics and anti inflammatories - to help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. Examples include:
  • clindamycin
  • erythromycin
  • tetracycline
  • dapzone (Aczone gel)
• Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) - unplug existing comedones, allowing other topical medicines, such as antibiotics, to enter the follicles. Some may also help decrease the formation of comedones. These drugs contain an altered form of vitamin A. Some examples include:
  • tretinoin (Retin-A)
  • adapalene (Differin)
  • tazarotene (Tazorac)
• Others acne medications - may destroy P. acnes bacteria and reduce oil production or help stop or slow the growth of bacteria and reduce inflammation. Some examples are:
  • prescription strength Benzoyl peroxide
  • sodium sulfacetamide/sulfur-containing products
  • Azelaic acid (Azelex)

Prescription topical medicines, just like OTC version, come as creams, lotions, solutions, gels or pads. Your doctor will consider your skin type when prescribing a product. Creams and lotions provide moisture and tend to be good choices if you have sensitive skin. If you have very oily skin or live in a hot, humid climate, you may prefer an alcohol-based gel or solution, which tends to dry the skin. Your doctor will be able to give you directions on how to use the medication.

Prescription topical medicines sometimes cause side effects. That can include things such as stinging, burning, redness, peeling, scaling or discoloration of the skin. With some medicines, such as tretinoin, these side effects usually decrease or go away after the medicine is used for a while. If side effects are severe or don't go away, notify your doctor.

Brand names included in article are provided as examples only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products are better or worse than others. You should discuss your situation with your dermatologist. Also, if a particular brand name is not mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.

As with over-the-counter OTC acne medicines, the benefits of prescription topical medicines aren't always immediate. Your skin may seem to get worse before it gets better. It may take from 4 to 8 weeks to notice improvement.

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Updated June 2009

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