Tetracycline and Acne Treatment: An Overview
Tetracycline (sold as generic Tetracycline tablets or capsules, or under a variety of brand names, including
Sumycin®,
Achromycin®, and Wesmycin
®) is a prescription antibiotic that is licensed to treat moderate to severe acne. It is part of a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines, which also include
minocycline and
doxycycline. The medication is not recommended for the treatment of other
types of acne.
What Is Acne and How Does Tetracycline Work?
Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. When the follicle of a gland gets clogged with oil, skin cells, and bacteria, it's called a pimple. Several pimples occurring in the same area are known as acne. If left untreated, acne can present a number of problems, including surface pain, infections, and scarring. Tetracycline is thought to help control acne by curbing the growth of bacteria and reducing inflammation. This results in fewer pimples and less redness.
Comparing Tetracycline to Other Antibiotics for Acne
A number of
acne treatment options are available, depending on the severity of the condition. One treatment for moderate-to-severe acne is oral antibiotics. Common antibiotics used as acne medicine include:
Tetracycline may be one of the first medicines tried because it is effective at treating acne and is cheaper than some of the other antibiotics.
