The Risks and
Side Effects of Prescription Acne Medications
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With the large number of adult as well as teens suffering from varying degrees
of acne, it has become imperative to find a treatment product that is both
effective, cost efficient and works without significant side effects.
Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic that is commonly used as an acne treatment.
In most cases, tetracycline is used only to treat moderate to severe acne; as
compared to over the counter topical agents which are used in the treatment of
mild to moderate acne. A number of clinical studies have been conducted in order
to determine whether tetracycline is effective in treating varying degrees and
forms of acne and specifically how effective this treatment is when compared to
other acne treatment products such as topical agents including benzoyl peroxide
and other oral antibiotics.
A study conducted at the General Infirmary in Leeds, UK determined that
tetracycline is as effective in treating acne as a 5% benzoyl peroxide topical
treatment in cases of mild to moderate acne. The study was conducted over a
period of 12 weeks in which 69 patients who suffered from facial as well as
chest and back acne were separated into 3 groups and administered doses of
topical tetracycline, benzoyl peroxide or oral oxytetracycline. The 250 mg
dosage of oral oxytetracycline was the only treatment shown in the study to show
any improvement in back acne.
Even as early as 1976, oral tetracycline was shown to produce significant
improvements of acne. During a 12 week study, oral tetracycline was showed to
produce significant improvement after 4 weeks of treatment compared to topical
tetracycline; which produced significant improvement beginning only at the 7
week mark during the 12 week study.
It should be noted that while antibiotics such as tetracycline have historically
proven to be effective in treating even moderate to severe forms of acne; there
exists the strong possibility for a drug resistance to occur. This means that
after a period of use, the patient’s body may build up a resistance or immunity
to the oral antibiotic; rendering it virtually useless. Furthermore, studies
indicate that there may be serious side effects related to the use of
tetracycline as a treatment for acne.
Clin Exp Dermatol. 1991 Jan;16(1):31-3. PubMed
A comparison of the effectiveness of topical tetracycline, benzoyl-peroxide gel
and oral oxytetracycline in the treatment of acne.
Norris JF, Hughes BR, Basey AJ, Cunliffe WJ.
Department of Dermatology, General Infirmary, Leeds, UK.
South Med J. 1976 Jun;69(6):695-7.PubMed
The effectiveness of topical and oral tetracycline for acne.
Smith JG Jr, Chalker DK, Wehr RF.
Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2005 Mar;6(3):409-18. PubMed
Acne vulgaris: a review of antibiotic therapy.
Tan AW, Tan HH.
National Skin Centre, Singapore, 1 Mandalay Road, 308205 Singapore.