Topical Acne Treatments
TOPICAL ACNE TREATMENTS | |||||
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Generic | Brand | Strength | Form | Dose | |
ANDROGEN RECEPTOR INHIBITOR | |||||
clascoterone | Winlevi | Rx | 1% | crm | Adults: Apply thin layer to clean, dry affected area twice daily (AM and PM). Children: <12yrs: Not established. |
ANTIBACTERIAL/ANTIKERATINIZING | |||||
azelaic acid | Azelex | Rx | 20% | crm | Adults: Gently massage thin film to affected areas twice daily (AM and PM) to clean, dry skin. Wash hands after use. May decrease to once daily if persistent irritation occurs. Children: Not recommended. |
ANTIBACTERIAL/KERATOLYTIC | |||||
benzoyl peroxide | — | Rx | 5%, 10% | water-base gel |
Adults: Apply to cleansed area 1−2 times daily Children: Not recommended. |
wash | Adults: Wash affected area 1−2 times daily; rinse Children: Not recommended. |
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ANTIMICROBIALS | |||||
clinda– mycin | Cleocin T | Rx | 1% | lotion, gel | Adults: Apply thin film twice daily Children: Not established. |
Clindagel | Rx | 1% | gel | Adults: Apply thin film once daily Children: Not recommended. |
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Clindets | Rx | 1% | pledgets5 | Adults: Apply thin film twice daily Children: Not recommended. |
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Evoclin | Rx | 1% | foam3 | Adults: Apply once daily to clean, dry skin Children: <12yrs: Not established. |
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erythro– mycin | — | Rx | 2% | gel | Adults: Apply thin film 1−2 times daily Children: Not established. |
soln, pads3 | Adults: Apply with applicator or pads to clean, dry skin twice daily Children: Not recommended. |
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Ery 2% Pads | Rx | 2% | pledgets3 | Adults: Rub over cleansed area twice daily (AM & PM) Children: Not applicable. |
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minocycline | Amzeeq | Rx | 4% | foam3 | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply at the same time each day ≥1hr before bedtime. Rub gently into affected area(s); repeat as needed. Avoid bathing, showering or swimming for ≥1hr after application. |
sodium sulfacet– amide | Klaron | Rx | 10% | lotion | Adults: Apply thin film twice daily to affected areas Children: Not recommended. |
KERATOLYTIC | |||||
salicylic acid | Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Body Wash | OTC | 2% | body wash | Adults: Massage onto skin; rinse Children: Not applicable. |
Phisoderm Anti-Blemish Gel Facial Wash | OTC | 2% | gel | Adults: Massage onto skin twice daily; rinse Children: Not applicable. |
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RETINOIDS | |||||
adapalene | Differin | Rx | 0.1% | crm6 | Adults: Apply thin film to affected areas once daily after washing. Reduce frequency or discontinue if prolonged or severe irritation occurs. Children: Not established. |
OTC | 0.1% | gel6 | |||
Rx | 0.3% | gel6 | |||
0.1% | lotion | ||||
tazarotene | Arazlo | Rx | 0.045% | lotion | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply a thin film to affected areas once daily. Women of childbearing potential: begin therapy during normal menses. |
Fabior | Rx | 0.1% | foam | Adults: Apply thin layer to clean, dry affected area (face, upper trunk) once daily in PM. Women of childbearing potential: Begin therapy during normal menses. Children: Not recommended. |
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Tazorac | Rx | 0.05%*, 0.1% | crm, gel | Adults: Apply thin film of 0.1% strength to lesions on clean, dry face once daily in the PM. Women of childbearing potential: Begin therapy during normal menses. Children: <12yrs: Not established. |
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tretinoin | Altreno | Rx | 0.05% | lotion4 | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply thin layer to affected areas once daily. Reduce frequency or discontinue if severe irritation occurs. |
Atralin | Rx | 0.05% | gel2,4 | Adults and Children: <10yrs: Not recommended. ≥10yrs: Apply sparingly at bedtime to clean skin once daily. Adjust amount and frequency as tolerated. | |
Avita | Rx | 0.025% | crm, gel | Adults: Apply sparingly to clean, dry skin once daily at bedtime. If irritation develops, adjust dose or frequency as tolerated and needed. Children: Not recommended. |
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Retin‑A | Rx | 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1% | crm | ||
0.01%, 0.025% | gel1 | ||||
Retin‑A Micro | Rx | 0.04%, 0.08%, 0.1% | aqueous gel | ||
trifarotene | Aklief | Rx | 0.005% | crm | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply a thin layer to affected areas once daily in the PM. Face: 1 pump actuation. Upper trunk: 2 pump actuations; may use 1 additional pump actuation for middle and lower back, if needed. |
SULFONE | |||||
dapsone | Aczone | Rx | 5% | gel | Adults: Apply pea-sized amount to affected area twice daily (AM & PM). Wash hands after use. Reevaluate if no improvement after 12wks. Children: <12yrs: Not recommended. |
7.5% | gel | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply pea-sized amount to affected area once daily. Wash hands after use. Reevaluate if no improvement after 12wks. | |||
COMBINATION AGENTS | |||||
adapalene/ benzoyl peroxide | Epiduo Forte Gel | Rx | 0.3%/ 2.5% | gel | Adults: Apply thin film to affected areas of face and/or trunk once daily after washing. Use a pea-sized amount for each area of the face. Reduce frequency or discontinue if prolonged or severe irritation occurs. Children: <12yrs: Not established. |
Epiduo Gel | Rx | 0.1%/ 2.5% | gel | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply thin film to clean affected areas (face, trunk) once daily. Use a pea-sized amount for each area of the face. Reduce frequency or discontinue if prolonged or severe irritation occurs. | |
clinda– mycin/ benzoyl peroxide | Acanya | Rx | 1.2%/ 2.5% | gel | Adults: Apply pea-sized amount in a thin layer to clean, dry face once daily. Wash hands after use. Children: Not recommended. |
Benzaclin | Rx | 1%/5% | gel | Adults: Apply twice daily Children: Not recommended. |
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Duac | Rx | 1%/5% | gel | Adults: Apply to clean, dry skin once daily in the evening Children: Not recommended. |
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Onexton | Rx | 1.2%/ 3.75% | gel | Adults: Apply a pea-sized amount once daily Children: Not established. |
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erythro– mycin/ benzoyl peroxide | Benzamycin | Rx | 3%/5% | gel | Adults: Apply to clean, dry skin twice daily Children: Not recommended. |
tretinoin/ benzoyl peroxide | Twyneo | Rx | 0.1%/ 3% | crm | Adults and Children: <9yrs: Not established. ≥9yrs: Apply thin layer to clean, dry skin once daily. |
clindamycin/ tretinoin | Ziana | Rx | 1.2%/ 0.025% | gel | Adults: Apply thin film to clean, dry face once daily at bedtime Children: Not recommended. |
NOTES | |||||
*Only 0.1% indicated for mild to moderate acne vulgaris 1contains cetearyl alcohol 2contains parabens 3contains alcohol 4contains benzyl alcohol 5contains isopropyl alcohol 6alcohol‑free Not an inclusive list of medications and/or doses. Please see drug monograph at www.eMPR.com, contact company for full drug labeling and/or consult your healthcare provider. Contains FDA‑approved doses only for Rx products. (Rev. 1/2023) |