Different people can experience different severities of acne formation. For some, they may never get more than a simple blackhead or whitehead, which can be treated by many over-the-counter acne treatment products. For others acne may grow in severity into pustules, papules and even nodules or cysts. The more severe acne becomes, the harder it is to treat. When acne reaches its most severe point, oral acne medications are one of the few options left for treatment.
Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin (also known as Avita, Retin-A and Renova) is an oral retinoid that is one of the most popular prescription treatments for acne. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this is due to the fact isotretinoin is the only medication capable of treating all four major causes of acne, which include sebum production, Propinoibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria infection, pore clogging and inflammation. Iostretinoin also comes with a number of potential side effects. Due to the severity of side effects of the drug, the Food and Drug Administration has developed the iPLEDGE program to monitor its use.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline are also effective oral acne medications. Antibiotics specifically target and kill the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. P. acnes play an important role in mild cases of acne such as blackheads and whiteheads, forming into more serious forms of inflammatory acne such as acne cysts. Antibiotics carry some risk for bacterial resistance. According to the Mayo Clinic, topical antimicrobials such as benzyol peroxide may be prescribed to lower the risks of resistance occurring.
Contraceptives
Contraceptives are an oral medication that can be used to treat and prevent acne, but only in women. Traditionally, contraceptives provide protection against pregnancy by altering the levels of hormones in the body. This alteration of hormones provides secondary benefits as it reduces the activity of sebacious glands on the skin. The less active the sebacious glands are, the less sebum oil they produce. Sebum is a major contributing factor in the formation and progression of acne.
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