Acne can be controlled with certain over-the-counter products in most cases, but since many different types of acne exist, prescription medicine is needed in some cases. Clindamycin solution (brand name Cleocin-T) and erythromycin (T-Stat, Emgel) are commonly used for this. Both are antibiotics, and have few side effects.

Benzoyl peroxide, on the other hand, is a gel that penetrates hair follicles. It is considered to be more effective than a cream or a lotion.

Other effective creams or gels include azelaic acid (Azelex), adapalene (Differin), tretinoin cream (Retin-A), and tazarotene (Tazorac). Retin-A or Retinoic Acid loosens up the blocked follicle, reducing the number of inflammations. Retin-A may be very useful for comedomal acne (blackheads and whiteheads). Tretinoin, adapalene, and azelaic acid appear to be equally effective. These medicines reduce acne blemishes by up to 65 to 70 percent.

Antibiotic lotions suppress bacteria-associated acne. Prescription antibiotics like minocycline (Minocin), and erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab), which are taken orally, are used when creams or lotions fail to yield results. In all, as has been observed; oral antibiotics improve acne by about 50 percent, which can go up to 88 percent if benzoyl peroxide is added. If one has severe acne, like cystic acne, the doctor may prescribe the oral medicine isotretinoin (Accutane). Isotretinoin is effective for improving acne in up to 90 percent of people, but it should only be used under expert medical guidance, especially among pregnant women or those planning pregnancy.

Another class of drugs, called corticosteroids, are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents, and often employed as short-course therapies for very severe acne. Low doses of corticosteroids suppress androgenic hormone secretions, which promote the sebaceous glands secretions of sebum.