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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
isotretinoin 8.0 1019 reviews for isotretinoin to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
isotretinoin systemic
Brand names:
Accutane, Claravis, Absorica, Amnesteem, Myorisan, Absorica LD, Sotret, Zenatane
Drug class:
miscellaneous antineoplastics, miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
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
doxycycline 6.8 771 reviews for doxycycline to treat Acne
Rx D N X
Generic name:
doxycycline systemic
Brand names:
Doryx, Vibramycin, Acticlate, Doxy 100, Monodox, Adoxa CK, Adoxa Pak, Adoxa TT, Doryx MPC, Oraxyl, Targadox
Drug class:
tetracyclines, miscellaneous antimalarials
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Epiduo 7.3 719 reviews for Epiduo to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol 6.4 703 reviews for drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol systemic
Brand names:
Yaz, Yasmin, Gianvi, Loryna, Ocella, Jasmiel, Lo-Zumandimine, Nikki, Syeda, Zarah, Zumandimine
Drug class:
contraceptives
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
benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin 7.7 575 reviews for benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
benzoyl peroxide / clindamycin topical
Brand names:
Benzaclin, Acanya, Duac, Onexton, Neuac, Z-Clinz 10
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
ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate 5.4 495 reviews for ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate systemic
Brand names:
Tri-Sprintec, Estarylla, Mono-Linyah, Tri-Estarylla, Tri-Linyah, Tri-Lo-Marzia, Tri-Previfem
Drug class:
contraceptives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
minocycline 5.7 484 reviews for minocycline to treat Acne
Rx D N
Generic name:
minocycline systemic
Brand names:
Solodyn, Minocin, Ximino, Dynacin, Minolira
Drug class:
tetracyclines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
spironolactone Off-label 7.2 466 reviews for spironolactone to treat Acne
Rx C N X
Generic name:
spironolactone systemic
Brand name:
Aldactone
Drug class:
potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
tretinoin 7.7 445 reviews for tretinoin to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
tretinoin topical
Brand names:
Retin-A, Atralin, Altreno, Avita
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Differin 6.0 336 reviews for Differin to treat Acne
Rx/OTC C N
Generic name:
adapalene topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Yaz 6.7 284 reviews for Yaz to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol systemic
Drug class:
contraceptives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Duac 7.3 277 reviews for Duac 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
dapsone 7.4 256 reviews for dapsone to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
dapsone topical
Brand name:
Aczone
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, 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
Yasmin 6.4 199 reviews for Yasmin to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol systemic
Drug class:
contraceptives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim Off-label 7.7 196 reviews for sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim to treat Acne
Rx D N X
Generic name:
sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim systemic
Drug class:
sulfonamides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone 3.8 187 reviews for ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
ethinyl estradiol / norethindrone systemic
Drug class:
contraceptives, sex hormone combinations
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clindamycin / tretinoin 7.7 186 reviews for clindamycin / tretinoin to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
clindamycin / tretinoin topical
Brand names:
Ziana, Veltin
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Tri-Sprintec 5.1 151 reviews for Tri-Sprintec to treat Acne
Rx X N X
Generic name:
ethinyl estradiol / norgestimate systemic
Drug class:
contraceptives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
clindamycin 7.4 150 reviews for clindamycin to treat Acne
Rx B N
Generic name:
clindamycin topical
Brand names:
Cleocin T, Clindagel, Clinda-Derm, Clindacin ETZ, Clindacin P, Clindacin PAC, ClindaReach Pledget, Clindets, Evoclin
Drug class:
topical acne agents, vaginal anti-infectives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Epiduo Forte 7.2 117 reviews for Epiduo Forte to treat Acne
Rx C N
Generic name:
adapalene / benzoyl peroxide topical
Drug class:
topical acne agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Claravis 8.2 116 reviews for Claravis 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.