Antibiotic facial acne

Objective: To review data on pharmacokinetic factors that influence the absorption and tissue distribution for individual antibiotic agents to better inform clinicians on rational dosing considerations of oral antibiotics for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The focus is placed on the most commonly prescribed oral antibiotics for acne vulgaris, the tetracyclines. Dose-response is also reviewed. Design and methods: This review describes factors affecting the absorption, distribution, and target tissue penetration of the most frequently prescribed oral antibiotics for the treatment of acne vulgaris, the tetracyclines.

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat acne. They are available as topical preparations for mild acne, and as tablets, capsules and elixirs for oral use in moderate and severe acne. A doctor's prescription is required to obtain antibiotics. The antibiotics listed on this page were available in New Zealand in April Other antibiotics or brand names are available on prescription in other countries.

Acne is caused by the effects of hormones on this unit. Specifically, the follicle becomes obstructed and an overgrowth of normal skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes , causes the destruction of the lining of the follicle. This process allows the follicular material to enter the dermis, causing an inflammatory response. Antibiotics work by several mechanisms.

Antibiotics work by controlling the skin bacteria P. They also have an anti-inflammatory action which can reduce the redness, swelling and pain of pimples. Antibiotics are used for inflammatory acne — small, pink lumps and bumps, and pustules on the skin's surface. In more serious cases the lumps are larger, deeper and may appear as nodules and cysts.