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Suggest Medication For Acne
Posted on
Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Answered on
Tue, 8 Dec 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi,
My son who is 18 has suffered from chronic inflammatory acne for the past two years. He has seen a number of UK dermatologists and has been treated with various antibiotics and topical lotions. He was eventually put on Roaccutane but had to be taken off after two weeks as he had a very sore back and was not able to tolerate the pain. This dermatologist recommended he start Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day (he did not start the treatment). I took my son along to see another dermatologist for a second opinion and he recommended Clindamycin 150 mg twice a day. We have just left his office last night and I have read up on Clindamycin and I am worried bout the very serious side effect which may cause colitis. My son has suffered from IBS on and off over the past years. What antibiotic would you recommend?
My son who is 18 has suffered from chronic inflammatory acne for the past two years. He has seen a number of UK dermatologists and has been treated with various antibiotics and topical lotions. He was eventually put on Roaccutane but had to be taken off after two weeks as he had a very sore back and was not able to tolerate the pain. This dermatologist recommended he start Clarithromycin 500 mg twice a day (he did not start the treatment). I took my son along to see another dermatologist for a second opinion and he recommended Clindamycin 150 mg twice a day. We have just left his office last night and I have read up on Clindamycin and I am worried bout the very serious side effect which may cause colitis. My son has suffered from IBS on and off over the past years. What antibiotic would you recommend?
Brief Answer:
Photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
I understand your concern.
Acne is usually a self-limiting condition but in people with oily skin it become severe.
your son is a case of IBS hence it is better to avoid oral medication.
I would rather prefer to treat him with topical medication.
Can you please upload a photograph of the involved area.
This will help me in deciding the best modality of treatment for the present lesions.
Waiting for your response. Thank you
Photograph required
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
I understand your concern.
Acne is usually a self-limiting condition but in people with oily skin it become severe.
your son is a case of IBS hence it is better to avoid oral medication.
I would rather prefer to treat him with topical medication.
Can you please upload a photograph of the involved area.
This will help me in deciding the best modality of treatment for the present lesions.
Waiting for your response. Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for your reply. I don't have a photo and he is being treated with topical creams - istorex and Duac. He has to be on an antibiotic to clear the current infection. My question is how safe is Clindamycin as all my reading seems to suggest it is very rarely used to treat acne due to its safety issues in relation to the bowel disorder.
Brief Answer:
Clindamycin is safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Clindamycin is safe.
We use it in severe recalcitrant acne.
My only concern is that your son has IBS.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic and can cause gastric irritation.
However in clinical practice we don't find any major side effect.
You can go ahead with the treatment.
Another option is Lymecycline. It is an acne specific antibiotic.
Just see if you can get lymecycline else you can go ahead with clindamycin.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Clindamycin is safe
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Clindamycin is safe.
We use it in severe recalcitrant acne.
My only concern is that your son has IBS.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic and can cause gastric irritation.
However in clinical practice we don't find any major side effect.
You can go ahead with the treatment.
Another option is Lymecycline. It is an acne specific antibiotic.
Just see if you can get lymecycline else you can go ahead with clindamycin.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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