Side Effects of Common Acne Treatments
November 2012
in “
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
”
TLDR Common acne treatments can cause various side effects, like skin irritation and more serious issues, but combination therapies are often more effective and better tolerated.
The 2012 document reviews the side effects of common acne treatments, highlighting that benzoyl peroxide can cause skin irritation and bleaching, topical retinoids may lead to skin irritation and peeling, oral antibiotics can cause gastrointestinal upset and photosensitivity, hormonal therapies might result in menstrual irregularities, isotretinoin is associated with teratogenicity and liver abnormalities, and procedural therapies can cause erythema and pain. It notes that adapalene 0.1% gel has fewer adverse events compared to tazarotene 0.1% cream, and combination therapies are generally more effective and better tolerated. The document stresses the importance of healthcare providers being aware of these side effects to prescribe treatments safely and the need for personalized medicine to minimize side effects and maximize treatment efficacy. It also emphasizes that while there is no single best acne treatment, a tailored approach is necessary, and more combination therapies are likely to emerge.
