Topical therapy for acne vulgaris - How do you choose the best drug for each patient?

Although management of acne is sometimes difficult, primary care physicians can offer a number of treatment plans to patients with this skin condition . Comedonal acne usually responds to topical keratolytics, such as salicyli c acid, benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, and tretinoin. Inflammatory acne is us ually treated with topical therapy plus a systemic antibiotic. Nodulocystic acne generally requires an 8-week course of systemic antibiotics. If the n odulocystic acne does not improve, minocycline or isotretinoin may be neede d. Topical therapy is often helpful in the long-term management of nodulocy stic acne. New products are available that deliver topical agents in novel ways that d ecrease skin irritation. With the proper tools and instructions in use, mos t patients have significant improvement in their acne.