Can you take pills to get rid of acne? Do they work?
While it is estimated that over 80% of people will have some form of acne breakout at some point in their life, for some, acne is much worse than an occasional breakout. Bad cases of acne can be difficult to treat with over the counter creams and can lead to scarring, self-consciousness, and low self-esteem.
For those who suffer with acne, there are stronger medications available than those you would find in your local drugstore. Doctors or dermatologists can prescribe prescription pills that work to treat acne better than topical creams. These pills work by reducing some of the factors that cause acne, including the excessive clumping of cells in the follicles, increased oil production in the face, bacteria, and inflammation. Prescription pills are usually reserved for those who have more serious problems with acne and that has not gotten better with topical medications and regularly washing the face.
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There are a number of different acne pills available via prescription. Some of the more common ones include:
Accutane
Accutane was the first FDA-approved acne medication available in the US and is still prescribed often to treat acne. In a nutshell, it works by changing the composition of the oil in the body, preventing it from clogging pores, which in turn causes acne.
An average course of treatment for Accutane is about 4 months. For those who have severe acne, it cures about 35% of patients after one course of treatment. Others will have to take multiple treatments in order to get the full effects. Those who take Accutane successfully experience a 70% chance of remission, or not having acne problems again.
There are a number of side effects associated with Accutane, particularly depression and moodiness that can even lead to suicide in rare cases. In addition, some people report that in the first few weeks of treatment, their acne actually gets worse before it subsides. In addition, almost all patients on Accutane experience dry lips and skin as a result.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are sometimes used to help control acne as well. They work by reducing the number of bacteria that cause acne as well as help decrease inflammation in the skin. Some of the more commonly-prescribed antibiotics for acne include Tetracycline, Minocycline, Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Trimethoprim, Azithromycin.
Antibiotics are an effective way to control acne, and it is estimated that patients can expect a 20-25% improvement in acne each month they are on the medication. The most common side effects with antibiotics are upset stomach and gassiness.
Birth Control Pills
For women, some doctors opt to prescribe birth control pills to help clear up acne. These oral contraceptives work to control acne by reducing the amount of oil in the glands. Ortho-Tricyclen and Alesse are two pills that have proved to be effective in greatly reducing acne.
As with any pill, birth control pills can come with a number of side effects. Common side effects of birth control pills include weight gain (although Alesse does not typically have this side effect), nausea, moodiness, bloating, and headaches.
When it comes to acne, most people want it cleared up as quickly as possible. For those with severe acne that doesn't seem to go away, prescription pills may be a good option. Because there are a number of pills that work to treat acne, it's best to discuss your options and what will be best for you with your doctor or dermatologist.
