Acne Therapy - Prescription Topicals
Page by: E.J. Mayeaux, Jr., M.D.
Louisiana State University Medical Center Shreveport, Louisiana
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Active agent Formulations Notes
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Azelaic acid (Azelex) Cream: 20% Can cause local irritation and
hypopigmentation (rare).
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Benzoyl peroxide (BP) Cream: 5%,10% Can cause irritation and bleaching
Gel: 2.5%,4%,5%,10% of hair, fabrics, or skin.
Liquid: 2.5%, 5%,10% Do not use with PABA sunscreens.
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Clinclamycin phosphate, Gel: 10 mg/mL Causes local irritation. Keep away
topical (Cleocin T) Lotion: 10 mg/mL from eyes, abraded skin, and mucous
Solution: 10 mg/mL membranes.
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Erythromycin, topical Gel: 2% Causes local irritation. Keep away
(A/T/S, Erycette, Ointment: 2% from eyes and mucous membranes.
T-Stat, etc.) Solution: 1.5%,2%
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Tetracycline HCl, Solution: 2.2 mg/mL Can cause local irritation and a yellow
topical solution discoloration that washes off.
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Tretinoin (Retin-A) Cream: 0.025% - 0.1 % Can cause local irritation.
Gel: 0.025%, 0.01 % Acne may to flare at first. Keep away
Liquid: 0.05% from eyes and mucous membranes.
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BP/sulfur Lotion: 5% BP/2% sulf; See Benzoyl peroxide above.
10% BP/5% sulfur Watch for Sulfa allergy.
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Erythromycin/BP Gel: 30 mg emycin/ See Benzoyl peroxide above.
(Benzamycin Gel) 50 mg BP per gram
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Sulfur/ Lotion: 5% sulfur/ Watch for Sulfa allergy.
sodium sulfacetamide 10% sulfacetamide
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Sulfur/resorcinol Cream: 8% sulfur/ Watch for Sulfa allergy.
2% resorcinol
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