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Medications for Acne

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Absorica 6.6 5 reviews for Absorica to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
isotretinoin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Absorica LD Rate Add review
Rx X N X
Generic name:
isotretinoin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acanya 7.3 57 reviews for Acanya to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Accutane 7.9 641 reviews for Accutane to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
isotretinoin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antineoplastics, miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Achromycin V Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
tetracycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Acne-10 Rate Add review
OTC C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acne-Clear Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acne Treatment Rate Add review
OTC C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acnevir Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
salicylic acid topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents, topical keratolytics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Acticlate 5.7 8 reviews for Acticlate to treat Acne
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aczone 7.4 228 reviews for Aczone to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
dapsone topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
adapalene / benzoyl peroxide 7.3 936 reviews for adapalene / benzoyl peroxide to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical
Brand names:
Epiduo, Epiduo Forte
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
adapalene 6.3 508 reviews for adapalene to treat Acne
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
adapalene topical
Brand name:
Differin
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Adoxa CK Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Adoxa Pak Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Adoxa TT Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aklief Rate Add review
Rx N
Generic name:
trifarotene topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aktipak 8.0 1 review for Aktipak to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / erythromycin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Akurza Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
salicylic acid topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents, topical keratolytics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Ala-Tet Rate Add review
Rx D N
Generic name:
tetracycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Aldactone Off-label 7.6 8 reviews for Aldactone to treat Acne
Rx C N X
Generic name:
spironolactone systemic
Drug class:
potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Aliclen Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
salicylic acid topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents, topical keratolytics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Altabax Off-label 8.3 3 reviews for Altabax to treat Acne
Rx B N
Generic name:
retapamulin topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Altreno Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
tretinoin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amnesteem 7.8 27 reviews for Amnesteem to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
isotretinoin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antineoplastics, miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Acne

Alternative treatments for Acne

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Acne. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Acne.

Learn more about Acne

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.