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Acne is a painful and unsightly skin condition that mostly affects our face, neck, shoulders, back, and chest. According to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), it affects as many as 50 millions Americans every year (1). While acne is not life-threatening, it may cause serious emotional distress and wreak havoc on our self-esteem. It becomes especially true when the condition turns severe and starts leaving scars. Here comes the importance of Acnesol cream. Keep reading to know everything about the medication and how it can help you get rid of pimple breakouts.
What Causes Acne?
Our skin has millions of tiny holes or ‘pores‘ on it, which often get blocked due to the production of excess sebum in the sebaceous glands, accumulation of dead skin cells, deposition of dirt and grime, and buildup of bacteria. This usually leads to the formation of pimples or zits. When these pimples are infected by the bacteria named P. acnes, they get inflamed and turn into the multi-factorial skin condition called acne vulgaris or acne. (2)
Acne can be of two types – blackheads (open at the skin’s surface) and whiteheads (closed under the skin’s surface). Inflammatory lesions caused by acne include papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts, which often cause scarring of the skin.
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How to Treat Acne?
The treatment of acne usually depends on the root cause as well as the severity of the condition. Mild acne can be managed easily and effectively just by making some simple lifestyle changes. But if your acne is moderate to severe, you must consult a dermatologist for something a little stronger. Both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications (creams, lotions, gels, etc.) are available for applying topically. OTC products contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as active ingredients while prescription drugs contain retinoids like tretinoin or antibiotics like clindamycin. There are also oral medications for acne, which usually include antibiotics, birth control pills, isotretinoin, and so on. Dermatologists may also recommend certain procedures like drainage and extraction, laser therapy, chemical peeling, microdermabrasion, cortisone injections, etc. based on your unique requirements. (3)
About Acnesol Cream
The Acnesol cream is known to be one of the most popular acne- or pimple-relief medications available in the market so far. Manufactured by Mepromax Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. and marketed by: Systolic Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., this topical prescription drug should be used as advised by a Registered Medical Practitioner only. Acnesol is a Clindamycin Phosphate Gel USP with a non-greasy texture, which keeps the skin clear and pimple-free by playing the role of a bacteriostatic antibiotic. It is also available in the forms of cream and lotion and is meant for external use only.
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Composition
- Clindamycin Phosphate IP Equivalent to clindamycin 1% w/w
- Chlorocrasol IP 0.12% w/w (as a preservative)
- The gel base
Availability
Easily available both offline and online
Price
Rs. 80 for a tube of 20 gm.
Therapeutic Uses of Acnesol Cream
The Acnesol cream is prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris or acne (spots). It provides instant relief from acne inflammation and reduces the redness caused by it. It prevents the facial skin from developing further acne eruptions too. Apart from fighting against acne bacteria and clearing up the complexion, Acnesol also hydrates the skin well and brightens it up.
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How Does Acnesol Cream Work?
As mentioned earlier, the Acnesol 1% Gel is a bacteriostatic antibiotic, which is, essentially, formulated with sebostatic active ingredients. The primary active ingredient in Acnesol is clindamycin, which belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. The semi-synthetic lincosamide antibiotic clindamycin is derived from the eponymous member of the antibiotic class named lincomycin, which has been used in the treatment of staphylococcal, streptococcal, and Bacteroides fragilis infections (4). Hence, clindamycin is also used in treating several serious infections including acne caused by susceptible microorganisms (5). Acnesol basically works by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and inhibiting the synthesis of essential proteins in the bacteria. This stops the bacteria from carrying out their vital functions, which prevents their growth and hinders the infection from spreading.
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Packaging
The Acnesol cream comes in a simple white tube, which is again placed inside a white cardboard carton.
Directions for Use
You should always use the Acnesol cream exactly as instructed by your doctor. It also needs to be applied to the clean skin for the maximum results. Therefore, start with washing your skin with a mild cleanser and pat dry it using a soft towel. Now, apply a small amount of gel in a thin layer to the affected parts of your skin. For the first few days, apply it only once in a day. As your skin gets used to it over time, you can go for twice-a-day application.
While applying the Acnesol cream to your acne-prone skin, avoid contact with eyes, nose, and mouth.
Is There Any Side Effect?
Though the Acnesol cream is considered as one of the most skin-friendly acne medicines, it has been reported to cause side effects in some people just like any other medications. Some common yet temporary side effects of Acnesol include rashes, dryness, oiliness, redness, irritation, itchiness, peeling, burning sensation, contact allergy, etc. and most of them disappear automatically without any medical attention. However, if you experience uncommon effects like painful skin, scaly rash, worsening of acne, etc., you should consult your doctor immediately.
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Warnings and Precautions
The Acnesol cream is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The safety and efficacy of the medicine in patients less than 12 years of age is also not clinically established yet. It should also be used with caution in people with atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal diseases (especially colitis), and allergy to clindamycin.
Storage and Handling
The Acnesol cream should be stored at room temperature (15ºC-25ºC) rather than keeping inside the refrigerator. But make sure that it is protected from excess heat and light.
Verdict
When used in the right dose and duration, the Acnesol cream may be extremely effective in treating acne. However, it is important to use the medicine as per doctor’s advice so that the symptoms do not worsen.
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Summary:
Our skin has millions of pores, which often get blocked and lead to pimples due to excess sebum, dead cells, dirt and grime, and bacteria buildup. When these pimples get inflamed by P. acnes bacteria, they turn into acne vulgaris or acne. The treatment of acne usually depends on the root cause as well as the severity of the condition. Both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are available for topical application. The Acnesol cream is known to be one of the most popular acne- or pimple-relief prescription medications available in the market so far. It is a Clindamycin Phosphate Gel USP with a non-greasy texture, which keeps the skin clear and pimple-free by playing the role of a bacteriostatic antibiotic. It works by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome and inhibiting the synthesis of essential proteins in the bacteria. This stops the bacteria from carrying out their vital functions, which prevents their growth and hinders the infection from spreading. Acnesol is inexpensive and easily available. Some common yet temporary side effects of the medicine include rashes, dryness, redness, irritation, itchiness, peeling, burning sensation, etc. and most of them disappear automatically without any medical attention. The medicine is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, patients less than 12 years of age, people with atopic dermatitis, gastrointestinal diseases (especially colitis), and allergy to clindamycin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Should I Use Acnesol?
Depending on the severity of acne, you may need to use the Acnesol cream for several weeks to several months. The initial results may not be visible before a few weeks and you will have to be very consistent to get the maximum results.
Can Acnesol Cause Skin Rashes?
Your skin may develop rashes as a temporary side effect of Acnesol application, which typically go away automatically. However, if you get scaly skin rashes, get in touch with the dermatologist right away.
Is it Safe to Consume Alcohol While Taking this Medicine?
The interaction of the Acnesol cream with alcohol is yet to be known.
Is Acnesol a Habit Forming Medicine?
No habit-forming tendencies have been reported from the application of Acnesol.
References:
- “Skin Conditions by the Numbers“, AAD.org
- “What Causes Acne?“, Healthline.com
- “Acne Treatment: Types, Side Effects, and More“, Healthline.com
- “Lincomycin“, Drugbank.ca
- “Clindamycin“, Drugbank.ca
