Acne: Treatment With Antibiotics

Overview

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to treat severe acne or acne that's likely to leave scars. Antibiotics are often used along with other acne medicines.

Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

People with mild acne may need only antibiotics that are put right on the skin (topical). The most common types include:

• Clindamycin.
• Erythromycin.

People with severe acne and people who are more likely to have scars from acne often take antibiotics by mouth. The most common ones include:

• Erythromycin.
• Tetracyclines. These include:
  • Doxycycline.
  • Minocycline.
  • Sarecycline.