Tetracycline for Acne: 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.
Tetracycline 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. 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 for Acne to Other Antibiotics
There are a number of
acne treatment options available, depending on the severity of the acne. One treatment for acne that is moderate or severe is oral antibiotics. Common antibiotics used as acne medicine include:
- Clindamycin
- Erythromycin
- Tetracycline
- Minocycline
- Doxycycline.
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.
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