Despite rising concerns about antibiotic resistance, long courses of oral antibiotics remain the most widely prescribed treatment for acne in the UK. Guidelines advise that topical treatments should be used first-line for acne and evidence suggests their effectiveness is similar to that of oral antibiotics. GPs need support in prescribing and promoting the effective use of topical treatments for acne; for instance, through easy access to high-quality information to give patients. Patients need to know that topical treatments work well for acne if used daily for 4–6 weeks, and should be given advice about how to prevent side effects such as skin irritation. |