23 years old woman complaints of recurrent acne over her face. History revealed that she had taken topical antibiotics for her acne without any significant improvement. Which one of the following tetracyclines is most preferred for her acne?
High-Yield Explanation
Answer: d) Minocycline* Resistant strains of P. acnes are emerging that may respond to judicious use of retinoids in combination with antibiotics.* Commonly used topical antimicrobials in acne include erythromycin, clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide and antibiotic-benzoyl peroxide combinations.* Other antimicrobials used in treating acne include sulfacetamide, sulfacetamide/sulfur combinations, metronidazole, and azelaic acid.* Systemic therapy is prescribed for patients with more extensive disease and acne that is resistant to topical therapy.* Effective agents include tetracycline, minocycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and trimethoprim- sulfamethoxazole.* Antibiotics usually are administered twice daily, and doses are tapered after control is achieved.* Tetracycline is the most commonly employed antibiotic because it is inexpensive, safe, and effective.* Its efficacy in acne may be more dependent on its antiinflammatory activity.* Tetracycline may make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.* Photosensitivity is more common with doxycycline and less common with minocycline.* Minocycline has better gastrointestinal absorption and is highly effective.* With all the tetracyclines, vaginal candidiasis is a common complication that is readily treated with local administration of antifungal drugs.