When the acne symptoms become obvious, people are recommended to look after medical advice. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the doctors are able to choose the best acne medication. As acne is characterized by an excess of oil and by dead skin cells, the acne medication is supposed to reverse these problems.

When acne becomes visual it usually recommended that medical attention be sought. Depending on how serious the condition is doctors can best determine which acne medication to treat the condition. The four main prescriptives to treat acne are antibiotic isotretinoin, oral contraceptives and topical medication, Topical treatments are usually lotions that decrease oil production, kill bacteria and aid in the disappearance of dead skin cells. These lotions contain the active ingredients: salicylic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, resorcinol and lactic acid. Using these topical treatments is used for those suffering less severe forms of acne. Other topical treatments are based on tretinoin and adapalene, which are derived from vitamin A. These are over the counter medications.

Antibiotics are another form of acne medication. In less serious cases of acne these medications are used topically; in other cases antibiotics can be used to treat moderate acne cases. Results have shown that antibiotics are effective acne treatments as they are also capable of killing bacteria and reduces inflammation. Most cases using antibiotics as a treatment are for a longer time. If the effectiveness of antibiotic is not certain topical treatments may be used in conjunction with the antibiotic.

Isotretinoin is an acne medication used to treat the most serious acne, when cysts have already formed. Patients who are on isotretinoin must be see by the doctor periodically, since, although this medication is very effective in treating sever acne, it also has very dangerous side effects. Pregnant women should never take isotretinoin since it can cause birth defects. It has also been noted that it causes triglyceride levels and liver enzyme levels to increase when using this kind of acne medication.

Oral contraceptives is another option for treating acne as well. The medications that are based on nor estimate and ethinyl estradol appear to have positive effects on acne symptoms. Women should talk to a doctor before proceeding with this acne medication, since the side effects of this medication can be very serious.

Oral contraceptives represent the fourth possible option. The ones that are based on norgestimate and ethinyl estradol seem to improve the acne symptoms. However, women are recommended to look for medical advice before proceeding to such a treatment. The side effects are very serious, in this case, too.