🍉For mild to moderate acne, first-line treatment options include a fixed combination of
(a) topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide,
(b) topical tretinoin with topical clindamycin, or
(c) topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin
🍭For moderate to severe acne, first- line treatment options include (a) and (b) of those above, and:
a fixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide, plus either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline
topical azelaic acid plus either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline
🛑Topical or oral antibiotics should not be used as monotherapy or in combination with each other
🌗Review treatment response at 12 weeks; options that include an antibiotic (topical or oral) should be continued for more than 6 months only in exceptional circumstances
🏥Consider referral to a consultant dermatologist-led team if moderate to severe acne has failed to respond to a 12-week course of treatment that includes an oral antibiotic or if mild to moderate acne has failed to respond adequately to two different 12-week courses of treatment
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🎈Management of acne vulgaris: summary of NICE guidance