Antibiotics For Acne

Many people go to a doctor to get a prescription medication for their acne which usually consists of antibiotics. What is the purpose of an antibiotic? What is an antibiotic for acne? Antibiotics work by stopping and preventing bacteria infection which leads to the formation of many types of acne such as pustules.

There are many popular antibiotics that can be taken to eliminate acne:

1. Tetracycline - This is the most popular and prescribed antibiotic for acne. The dosage for Tetracycline varies according to severity of the acne sufferer's condition. A common dosage is 500 mg twice a day. When the acne condition improves, the dosage can be reduced to 250 mg twice a day. When acne condition further improves, dosage can be further reduced again or it can already be stopped altogether. Different from other kinds of antibiotics, Tetracycline must be taken only with an empty stomach for best performance. It cannot be taken by pregnant women (new born babies will have defects) or for kids under 9.

2. Doxycycline - Doxycycline is similar to Tetracycline. It is a synthetic derivative of Tetracycline and are all under the same family. Doxycycline had shown prove to effectively treat inflammatory acne. Doxycycline is often used for people who do not respond to or cannot tolerate Erythromycin (will be covered below) or tetracycline. The dosage for doxycycline varies from 50 mg to 100 mg also twice a day. Unlike Tetracycline, Doxycycline must be taken with food or else it can cause significant nausea. Doxycycline is more likely to increase sensitivity to the sun and cause sunburns then Tetracycline though.

3. Minocycline - Minocycline is also another synthetic derivative of Tetracycline. It is of a newer generation. While Doxycycline is good in treating inflammatory acne, Minocycline is good in treating pustular kinds of acne eg pustules and cysts. It has shown to be not as prone to antibiotic resistant as the other antibiotics but have higher chances of severe side effects.

4. Clindamycin - Clindamycin is a topical antibiotic instead of an oral one. It is normally used to treat mild to moderate acne but isn't very strong on its own. Clindamycin can work with BP (benzoyl peroxide) or Adapalene (Differin Gel) to have a synergy effect that increases both parties effectiveness but at the same time increase risk of side effects too.

5. Erythromycin - Notice the similarity in the ending of the names of the antibiotics. Erythromycin is known for its effectiveness in reducing inflammation which results in the elimination of bacteria and also the redness caused by acne. It is taken with or after food. The common dosage for Erythromycin is 250mg to 500 mg twice a day.

6. Azithromycin - Azithromycin is a new generation antibiotic which is derived from Erythromycin. There are medical trials that shows tolerability for Azithromycin is better than Erythromycin and Doxycycline. This antibiotic has minimal side effects as compared to others especially the Tetracycline family. It stops inflammation of acne by interfering with bacteria protein synthesis and thus stopping bacteria from multiplying.

The antibiotics all produces common side effects:

Diarrhea
Upset Stomach
Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
Abdominal Pains
Candida (acne causing factor, antibiotics actually produces this too)
Vaginal Yeast Infection
Weakening of Birth Control Pills
Skin Redness

Do not be too afraid to take antibiotics though because side effects have a low chance of happening and even when they do happen, it is most of the time mild.

Alwyn Tan is a successful webmaster and publisher of many home remedies for acne and other critical information to clear up your face! His website is http://www.Acne-Solution-Today.com!