This article is about the treatment of acne benzoyl peroxide. Acne is known to affect the face leaving scars and pits. The treatment of acne vulgaris uses drugs that can be used locally and are for oral use. Given the increasing resistance of Propionibacterium acnes, it is recommended to minimize the prolonged use of antibiotics by local or oral treatment of acne. With many comedones, topical application of a retinoid is generally the first choice. In the presence of numerous papules and pustules, benzoyl peroxide is effective in mild to moderate does. In more severe cases, oral antibiotics may be indicated. Panoxyl is another alternative to benzoyl peroxide. To minimize resistance problems, it is recommended not to prescribe antibiotics alone but rather in combination with benzoyl peroxide or a retinoid. Oral medicine is a therapeutic option if required.

In severe acne, systemic treatment with isotretinoin must often be considered as a remedy, with all the precautionary measures that entails (including contraception). Acne is a dermatological condition, most frequently encountered in adolescents and young adults. The inflammatory dermatosis partly explained by the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes, an abnormal proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes (with formation of comedones) and an increase of seborrhea under the influence of androgens.

For years, antibiotics have been central in the management of acne, but the significant increase in resistance of Propionibacterium acnes in recent times forces to review the recommendations in acne treatment. This article discusses the role of various drugs in the treatment of this disease, and offers some guidelines based on the clinical form and severity of acne.

Antibacterials for topical use are generally utilized for the acne benzoyl peroxide. Clindamycin and erythromycin are the antibiotics typically used locally in the treatment of acne vulgaris. They exert anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and thus decrease the number of inflammatory lesions, but they have no effect on comedones. Adverse effects of antibiotics for local use are erythema, desquamation, dry skin and burning sensation. Their use is limited by the increasing bacterial resistance [i.e., erythromycin is no longer recommended because many germs are becoming resistant Gram-positive]. According to a recent consensus, it is recommended not to prescribe antibiotics alone but local associate of benzoyl peroxide or a topical retinoid, and this in order to increase the effectiveness of treatment and limit the risk of bacterial resistance. It is also advisable not to use concomitantly in the treatment of acne antibiotics and a topical antibiotic for oral use. Further information can be obtained online.