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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
Avar 10 1 review for Avar to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Avita 10 1 review for Avita to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
tretinoin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
BenzEFoam Ultra 10 1 review for BenzEFoam Ultra to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
benzoyl peroxide / hydrocortisone 10 1 review for benzoyl peroxide / hydrocortisone to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / hydrocortisone topical
Brand name:
Vanoxide-HC
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
benzoyl peroxide / sulfur 10 2 reviews for benzoyl peroxide / sulfur to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / sulfur topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Clindagel 10 2 reviews for Clindagel to treat Acne
Rx B N
Generic name:
clindamycin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Ery Pads 10 1 review for Ery Pads to treat Acne
Rx B N
Generic name:
erythromycin topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents, topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Fostex Medicated 10 1 review for Fostex Medicated to treat Acne
OTC N N
Generic name:
salicylic acid/sulfur topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Oscion Cleanser 10 1 review for Oscion Cleanser to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Pernox 10 2 reviews for Pernox to treat Acne
OTC N N
Generic name:
salicylic acid/sulfur topical
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
salicylic acid/sulfur 10 3 reviews for salicylic acid/sulfur to treat Acne
OTC N N
Generic name:
salicylic acid/sulfur topical
Brand names:
Fostex Medicated, Meted, Pernox, SAStid, Sebulex
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Sulfacleanse 8/4 10 1 review for Sulfacleanse 8/4 to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
sulfacetamide sodium/sulfur topical
Drug class:
topical antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
trifarotene 10 1 review for trifarotene to treat Acne
Rx N
Generic name:
trifarotene topical
Brand name:
Aklief
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Vanoxide-HC 10 1 review for Vanoxide-HC to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / hydrocortisone topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash 9.5 2 reviews for PanOxyl 10% Acne Foaming Wash to treat Acne
OTC C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
sulfur 9.5 2 reviews for sulfur to treat Acne
Rx/OTC N N
Generic name:
sulfur topical
Brand names:
Liquimat Light, Liquimat Medium, Sulfoam, Sulpho-Lac Soap
Drug class:
miscellaneous topical agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
clascoterone 9.3 6 reviews for clascoterone to treat Acne
Rx N
Generic name:
clascoterone topical
Brand name:
Winlevi
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Winlevi 9.3 6 reviews for Winlevi to treat Acne
Rx N
Generic name:
clascoterone topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amzeeq 9.0 1 review for Amzeeq to treat Acne
Rx D N
Generic name:
minocycline topical
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
BP Wash 9.0 1 review for BP Wash to treat Acne
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Doxy 100 9.0 5 reviews for Doxy 100 to treat Acne
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
minocycline 9.0 1 review for minocycline to treat Acne
Rx D N
Generic name:
minocycline topical
Brand names:
Amzeeq, Cleeravue-M
Drug class:
mouth and throat products
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Myorisan 8.7 10 reviews for Myorisan 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
Oxy-10 8.7 3 reviews for Oxy-10 to treat Acne
OTC C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Onexton 8.6 33 reviews for Onexton 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

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)

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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.