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Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is the common form of acne, mixing inflamed and non-inflamed lesions centred on the hair follicle and its oil gland. It most often affects the face but can spread to the neck, chest and back.

Yaz

Ethinylestradiol, Drospirenone

0.02mg + 3mg

Ethinylestradiol and drospirenone tablets for contraception and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. They prevent ovulation by altering hormone levels.

From$1.90/ tabletView

Differin

Adapalene

0.1% 15g

Adapalene cream for acne. It helps keep pores from getting blocked.

From$31.30/ tubeView

Aziderm Cream

Azelaic Acid

20% 15g

Azelaic acid cream for acne vulgaris and rosacea. It works inside the pores to reduce the bacteria that cause spots.

From$25.00/ tubeView

Tazorac

Tazarotene

0.1% 15gm

Tazarotene gel for plaque psoriasis and acne. It slows the rapid buildup of skin cells.

From$24.00/ tubeView

Key points

  • Age range is wider than the adolescent association suggests; acne vulgaris affects both sexes and all races.
  • Comedones and inflammatory lesions commonly appear at the same time rather than in sequence, and most single spots settle within a fortnight, though deeper papules and nodules can persist for months.
  • In darker skin, the lasting problem is often brown pigmentation left after a spot heals, and that pigmentation is frequently what prompts someone to seek treatment.
  • Treatment is matched to severity: topical preparations for mild acne, oral antibiotics or hormonal treatment for moderate disease.

Medicines listed for Acne Vulgaris

Six of the seven listed products are topical preparations in tubes, containing Tretinoin, adapalene, azelaic acid or tazarotene. The seventh is an oral tablet combining Ethinylestradiol with drospirenone. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin and adapalene work by normalising how comedones form and clear, while azelaic acid addresses both inflamed spots and the pigmentation acne can leave behind. The hormonal tablet is listed for acne vulgaris alongside its other indications.

Further reading

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