In most cases, acne is easily prevented by washing one’s face regularly or by using common, over-the- counter acne solutions such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. However, severe cases require severe measures. You would need to see your dermatologist if you are suffering from a persistent case of acne that’s also threatening to leave unsightly marks on your face. He can, then, recommend prescription acne treatments. And one of these prescription solutions are oral antibiotics.

So, if you’re suffering from a persistent case of acne, we’ll help guide you on one of the more common prescription acne treatments out there.

There are a number of oral antibiotics that your dermatologist may recommend to you in fighting acne. He may also tell you to use them alternately. This is because the bacteria that oral antibiotics fight might become resistant to one form of antibiotic, so using them alternately will help keep that from happening.

Here are some of the oral antibiotics used to help fight acne:

1. Erythromycin. If you’ve had any form of bacterial infection, then, you might have used this before. That’s because this form of antibiotic has proven itself to be effective in fighting a wide range of bacteria, including priorionibacteria acnes. P. acnes are known to be the bacteria that could infect your skin and, therefore, cause an acne breakout. Thus, taking erythromycin will help curb the buildup of that form of bacteria on your skin.

2. Tetracycline. This is another form of antibiotic that’s used to treat acne. Unlike erythromycin, tetracycline is used to reduce the papules and pustules that may form on the surface of the skin. Typical dosage starts with 500 mg, although it could be as high as 1000 mg, depending on the severity of the acne breakout. The dosage will, then, be reduced as the number of acne is decreases.

Warnings When Using Oral Antibiotics

Because these are stronger medications against acne than over-the-counter ones, oral antibiotics tend to have a negative effect on the body. Erythromycin, for example, could cause diarrhea or any form of gastrointestinal irritation. Plus, it could also cause nausea and vomiting.

Meanwhile, the use of tetracycline is not recommended for children who are under 8 years of age. Aside from that, this oral antibiotic is also off-limits to women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding. Doing so could affect the development of the child.

Of course, there are other prescription acne treatments out there. However, oral antibiotics are some of the easiest to administer, unlike other forms of treatment that may require a doctor to inject with medicine. Plus, oral antibiotics are relatively cheaper too. However, , the price will also depend on the brand of antibiotic that you choose to purchase.

So, if you are suffering from a severe acne breakout, chances are that oral antibiotics are on the top of the list of your dermatologist’s recommendations. But be prepared to switch antibiotics regularly to keep bacteria from becoming resistant to the medication.