Acne treatment (2) - Common drug treatment

     After a brief introduction of the acne treatment in the last article, let us discuss more about the common  drug treatment that are available:

a) Benzoyl peroxide - Apply once or twice sparingly 20 minutes after face washing everyday.

Benzoyl peroxide works by killing the bacteria on the skin and prevent plugging up of hair follicles by dead skin. The treatment course is usually 6 weeks and the common side effects of benzoyl peroxide are :

• dry and tense skin
• burning, itching or stinging sensation 
• redness & peeling of the skin 

Some of the available products in Malaysia

Points to remember when using this product:

1) Avoid excessive sun exposure as benzoyl peroxide makes the face more sensitive to sunlight

2) Benzoyl peroxide may bleach the clothes, towels and bed linens 

3) Wash your hands  before and after the application of medication  

b)Topical retinoids - Apply sparingly once a day before going to bed. 

Topical retinoids works by reducing the production of sebum and also preventing the plugging up of hair follicles by dead skin cells. The treatment course is usually 6 weeks and the most common side effects are mild irritation & skin irritation.

Some of the available products in Malaysia

Points to remember when using topical retinoids: 

1) Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and UV 

2) Do not use during pregnancy as this medication may cause birth defects

c) Topical antibiotics - Apply once or twice daily

Topical antibiotics works by killing off the bacteria on the skin. The treatment course is usually 6 to 8 weeks. The common side effects are: 

• skin dryness
• redness and burning sensation of the skin
• peeling of the skin

Some of the available topical antibiotics in  Malaysia

Points to remember when using topical antibiotics

1) Go to the doctor if there is prolonged diarrhoea

d) Oral antibiotics - Usually used in combination to treat moderate to severe acne


The treatment course is usually 4 to 6 months. Treatment more than 6 months is not recommended as there is risk of bacteria resistance. The commons side effects are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

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e) Oral Isotretinoin - The oral form (tablet) can only be prescribed by a dermatologist.

The treatment course is usually 4to  6 months. Some people may find that their acnes get worse in the 1st seven to ten days of the treatment as the medication is pushing out the bacteria that rested in the deeper layer of the skin. The common side-effects of oral isotretinoin include :

• Dryness and cracking of skin and lips. This can be relieved by applying moisturising cream and lip balm.
• Nosebleed due to dryness of the inside of the nose. This can be relieve by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the inside of the nose
• Headaches
• Mild itching and peelings of the skin
• Inflammation of eyelids or eyes ( conjunctivitis)
• Back, muscle and joints pain. The condition may worsen during or after exercise
• Bleed or bruise more easily

Points to remember when taking this medication:
1) Isotretinoin may cause severe birth defects. Thus, contact your dermatologist immediately if you think you are pregnant.