Selected Topical Medications for the Treatment of Acne
| Medication | Dosage | Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Retinoids* | ||
| Adapalene (Differin) | Qhs-bid | Same as tretinoin but less severe |
| Tazarotene (Tazorac) | Qhs | Same as tretinoin but more severe |
| Tretinoin (Retin-A) | Qhs | Dryness, scaling, erythema, burning, irritation, and photosensitivity |
| Tretinoin microsphere (Retin-A Micro) | Qhs | Same as tretinoin but less severe |
| Antibiotics | ||
| Clindamycin | Qd-bid | Local irritation, dryness |
| Erythromycin | Qd-bid | Local irritation, dryness |
| Other | ||
| Azelaic acid (Azelex) | Qd-bid | Dryness, scaling, erythema, burning, irritation, pruritus; rarely, hypopigmentation |
| Benzoyl peroxide (2.5%-10%) | Qd-bid | Erythema, peeling, contact dermatitis, dryness, bleaches bedding/clothing |
| Salicylic acid (Stri-Dex, Clearasil) | Qd-bid | Dryness, irritation |
| Sulfacetamide (Klaron) | Bid | Itching, redness, irritation; contraindicated if sulfa allergy |
| Sulfacetamide/sulfur (Sulfacet-R) | Bid | Same as sulfacetamide |
| Combination products (Duac, Benzamycin) | Qd-bid | Erythema, peeling, contact dermatitis, dryness, bleaches bedding/clothing |
* Due to irritation, retinoids can be used every second day or as tolerated.