New Oral Medications for Acne Patients

Dr. Hilary E. Baldwin, MD, FAAD, associate professor of clinical dermatology at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Brooklyn, NY, spoke today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Meeting 2007 on the newest forms of oral acne medications. Despite the fact that the latest trend in laser and light treatments are gaining popularity and being used in more dermatological procedures, many dermatologists believe that the oral medications still might offer the best treatment regime with better long-term results for sufferers of moderate to severe acne. The very circumstance that proves this is the introduction of the new systemic acne therapies themselves.

Dr. Baldwin stated that the reason systemic acne medications are still around is simply because they work. She elaborated by indicating that the newest advances have expanded options for patients and addressed some of the possible disadvantages of oral acne medications, such as concerns regarding bacterial resistance.

Dr. Baldwin reports that extended-release minocycline, taken once per day, is the first weight-based oral medication to treat acne. One advantage of this medication is that the side effects are considerably less bothersome for patients than with immediate-release minocycline, making patients more likely to be medication-compliant which improves the effectiveness of their treatment. She clarified by stating that extended- release of the drug means that peak levels in the bloodstream are not nearly as high as with the immediate release minocycline, thought to have a high degree of side effects like dizziness, headaches, and nausea, thereby making side effects less likely when taking the extended-release version.