Acne

This article is a brief overview of OTC (over the counter) treatment options for acne, which are available to patients without a prescription. Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide treatments are discussed, as well as other management of other factors like dry skin.

This article is an overview of the common topical agents used for treating acne: Benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, topical antibiotics, azelaic acid, and combination products.

A triad approach to the treatment of acne and rosacea has been recommended. This integrated management approach includes patient education, selection of therapeutic agents, and initiation of an appropriate skin care regime. Appropriate skin care recommendations for patients with acne and rosacea will be discussed.

Clindoxyl® Gel (Stiefel) is a combination of 1% clindamycin phosphate and 5% benzoyl peroxide in a gel vehicle that is well tolerated and more efficacious than either active agent alone or the vehicle in reducing lesion counts and improving global scores in patients with moderate acne.

Adapalene is a designer retinoid, with a similar molecular make-up with vitamin A. A guide to patient use, at what point in time should patients expect improvement, mechanism of action, side-effects, and other drug interactions are discussed in this article.

Spironolactone is a diuretic and has anti-androgen effects, and can play a role in acne treatment. Its indications, potential side-effects, and contraindications are discussed.

Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder affecting children and young adults in North America. This article discusses combination therapy, and simplifying treatment plans in order to increase patient adherence, which is often a critical problem in treating acne.

Topical retinoids are recommended as first-line therapy for most patients with acne. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion is a novel formulation that utilizes polymeric emulsion technology to improve tolerability and epidermal penetration.

Isotretinion will require monitoring by a doctor. While relatively rare, side-effects can be serious, and affect blood, bone, liver, neurologic, and muscle, and require periodic testing to ensure safety and healthy. It is also teratogenic, so pregnancy will also be a part in patient education.

Acne vulgaris is a disease of the pilosebaceous follicle characterized by non-inflammatory (open and closed comedones) and inflammatory lesions. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial - the interplay of hormonal, bacterial, and immunological (inflammatory) factors results in the formation of acne lesions.

Sarecycline is a novel antibiotic that has shown significant promise in acne treatment due to its narrow-spectrum activity and weight-based dosing.

In two large randomized vehicle-controlled 12-week trials and in a 52-week open label study of moderate-to-severe acne at the face and trunk in subjects aged 9 years and older, trifarotene 50 μg/g cream demonstrated efficacy, safety, and cutaneous tolerability.

There is compelling evidence that oral contraceptives (OCs) are effective in the management of mild-moderate acne vulgaris, as well as cumulative evidence that elevated levels of androgens in acne patients, relative to appropriate controls, are an underlying pathophysiological factor in acne.

A review of studies, reviewing association between a high-glycemic-load diet, hormonal mediators, and acne risk.

Topical acne treatment can positively benefit patients with acne. This review summarizes clinical and prescribing information on currently available topical agents. The efficacy of the medications included in this report is supported by properly designed randomized clinical trials.