What is the difference in anti-acne action between minocycline, doxycycline, tretinoin and fluorouracil?

Doctor's Answer

Both doxycycline and minocycline are oral types of antibiotics. They act on the P. acne bacteria that cause inflammatory acne. They also do have anti-inflammation properties and are helpful in reducing the inflamed papules and cysts of acne.

Tretinoin is a vitamin D analogue. This is in the active ingredient in creams such as Retin-A and Retacnyl. The main action of tretinoin is its comedolytic action, ie. it is good for clearance of comedones like blackheads and whiteheads.

5 Fluorouracil is a cream that is often used for the treatment of actinic keratosis. It is not usually indicated for acne treatment.

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