Management of Acne

Question 1

Treatments of acne?

Answer 1

Cyproterone acetate
Topical steroid creams
Oral prednisolone
Systemic antibiotic therapy
Isotretinoin

Question 2

Limitations of cyproterone acetate when treating acne?

Answer 2

Anti-androgen that can only be given to women

Question 3

When can topical steroid cream be used to treat acne?

Answer 3

Indicated where there are focal severe lesions

Question 4

When can oral prednisolone be used to treat acne?

Answer 4

May only be used in severe cases

- often where isotretinoin has not been fully effective

Question 5

When can systemic antibiotic therapy be used to treat acne and how long should they be prescribed for?

Answer 5

Can be effective in clearing up acne as an alternative therapy in cases where previous efforts have failed so far
- should be prescribed for over 6 months

Question 6

Which types of antibiotics should be given, why, and by which administration route?

Answer 6

Fat-soluble antibiotics - tetracyclines (lymecycline) or erythromycin

• they are better delivered to the target
• oral or IV but usually oral