Last Updated on March 3, 2021 by Adnan Musa

Acne Vulgaris is also known as pimples and it is very common among young people. Acne Vulgaris can become a headache for them if proper treatment is not taken. Usually, acne can appear on the face, neck, back, chest, and shoulders. People of all ages can get acne, but it is young people who mostly suffer from this problem. Though, this skin problem is very common but very few people know about the common medicaments prescribed by physicians or skin specialists. Keep reading the article to know about the best acne medicine in Bangladesh.

List Of Best Acne Medicine In Bangladesh

Usually, the doctor or skin specialist commonly prescribed topical preparations for acne. The four common topical preparations for acne are:

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• Azelaic acid
• Tretinoin Topical
• Clindamycin

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is used to treat mild to moderate acne. It is a bacteriostatic agent used for its activity against Propionibacterium acnes. You can use this topical preparation one or two times daily. Here are some medicines of this group.   

Acnegel Gel

• Adapalene + Benzoyl peroxide
• 0.1%+2.5%
• ACME Laboratories Ltd.

Composition

Each gram of Gel contains Adapalene BP 1 mg and Benzoyl peroxide BP 25 mg.

Indications

Adapalene & Benzoyl peroxide gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older.

Pharmacology

Adapalene & Benzoyl peroxide gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. Adapalene binds to specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors but does not bind to cytosolic receptor protein. Biochemical and pharmacological profile studies have demonstrated that Adapalene is a modulator of cellular differentiation, keratinization, and inflammatory processes. Adapalene binds with specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors that normalize the differentiation of follicular epithelial cells resulting in decreased microcomedone formation. Benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent with bacteriocidal and keratolytic effects.

Dosage & Administration

Apply a thin film of Adapalene & Benzoyl peroxide gel to affected areas of the face and/or trunk once daily after washing. Use a pea-sized amount for each area of the face (e.g., forehead, chin, each cheek). Avoid the eyes, lips and mucous membranes. Adapalene & Benzoyl peroxide is not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.

Side Effects

Erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/ burning may occur. Most commonly reported adverse events are dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation, and skin irritation.

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool (below 25°C) and dry place protected from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children. Keep the tube tightly closed after use.

Brevoxyl Cream

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• 4%
• GlaxoSmithKline

Indications

Topical therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Pharmacology

Benzoyl peroxide has mild keratolytic effect and antimicrobial activity due to release of free-radical oxygen which oxidizes bacterial protein. It is active against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes.

Dosage & Administration

Adult: As 2.5-10% preparation: Apply 1-2 times daily after cleansing, may gradually increase to tid if needed. Start with lower strength preparations. As cleanser: Wash 1-2 times daily.

Child: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.

Side Effects

The major adverse reaction reported to date with Benzoyl Peroxide cutaneous therapy is irritation of the skin including erythema, burning, peeling, dryness, itching, stinging, feeling of skin tension locally at the site of application. This is reversible when treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued. Allergic contact dermatitis, including face oedema, may occur.

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

Oxigel Topical Gel

• Benzoyl Peroxide
• 2.5%
• Unimed Unihealth MFG. Ltd.

Indications

Topical therapy for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Pharmacology

Benzoyl peroxide has mild keratolytic effect and antimicrobial activity due to release of free-radical oxygen which oxidizes bacterial protein. It is active against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes.

Dosage & Administration

Adult: As 2.5-10% preparation: Apply 1-2 times daily after cleansing, may gradually increase to tid if needed. Start with lower strength preparations. As cleanser: Wash 1-2 times daily.

Child: ≥12 year, same as adult dose.

Side Effects

The major adverse reaction reported to date with Benzoyl Peroxide cutaneous therapy is irritation of the skin including erythema, burning, peeling, dryness, itching, stinging, feeling of skin tension locally at the site of application. This is reversible when treatment is reduced in frequency or discontinued. Allergic contact dermatitis, including face edema, may occur.

Storage Conditions

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light.

Benoxiclin Topical Gel

• Clindamycin + Benzoyl peroxide
• 1%+5%
• Unimed Unihealth MFG. Ltd.

Indications

Indicated in acne vulgaris

Pharmacology

Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic derivative of lincomycin. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits thus blocking the transpeptidation or translocation reactions of susceptible organisms.

Benzoyl peroxide has mild keratolytic effect and antimicrobial activity which is attributed to its potent oxidizing activity. Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide are both active against Propionibacterium acnes, an organism associated with acne vulgaris.

Dosage & Administration

Apply to the affected areas once or twice daily (morning and evening) after the skin is gently washed and patted dry.

Side Effects

Application site pain, Application site exfoliation, Application site irritation, Erythema, Burning, Pruritus, Sunburn, Scaling, Drynes, Colitis, Peelin

Azelaic Acid

Azelaic acid is in a class of medications called dicarboxylic acids. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infect pores and by decreasing production of keratin, a natural substance that can lead to the development of acne. Below are some medicines of this group.

Azelec Cream

• Azelaic Acid
• 20%
• ACME Laboratories Ltd.

Indications

Azelaic acid is indicated for acne vulgaris, rosacea

Pharmacology

Azelaic acid is a naturally-occurring aliphatic dicarboxylic acid that inhibits the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and reduces keratinisation, thus restricts the development of comedones.

Dosage & Administration

Acne vulgaris:

Adult: As 20% cream or 15% gel: Apply thinly into the affected areas bid (morning and evening) after cleansing. Improvement may be detectable w/n 4 wk. Duration of treatment: Up to 6 mth.

Child: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.

Rosacea:

Adult: As 15% gel: Apply thinly into the affected areas bid (morning and evening). Improvement occurs in 4-8 wk.

Child: ≥12 yr Same as adult dose.

Side Effects

Burning, erythema, stinging, pruritus, dryness and scaling, peeling, irritation, dermatitis, hypopigmentation, rash, and photosensitivity; rarely, exacerbation of asthma

Storage Conditions

Store between 15-30° C.

Bensal Ointment

• Benzoic Acid + Salicylic Acid
• 6%+3%
• Gaco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

Benzoic Acid & Salicylic Acid is indicated for fungal infections, athlete’s foot, barber’s itch.

Pharmacology

Benzoic acid: Elicits weak antifungal and antibacterial properties; also helps acidify urine.

Salicylic acid: It has a potent keratolytic action and a slight antiseptic action when applied topically. It softens and destroys the stratum corneum by increasing endogenous hydration which causes the horny layer of the skin to swell, soften, and then desquamate. At high concentrations, salicylic acid has a caustic effect. It also possesses weak antifungal and antibacterial activity.

Dosage & Administration

Apply locally on the affected area 2-3 times per day.

Side Effects

Irritation, sensitivity, excessive drying; systemic effects on prolonged use

Gacozema Ointment

• Dithranol + Salicylic Acid + Boric Acid
• 0.1%+1%+2%
• Gaco Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

This ointment is used for Skin diseases, Fungus infections, Skin redness, Aid in the topical treatment of quiescent or chronic psoriasis, Acne, Blemishes, Dandruff, Calluses and corns, Yeast infection, Cold sores and other conditions. This ointment may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Pharmacology

Boric acid is a weak topical anti-infective agent. Salicylic acid has a potent keratolytic action and a slight antiseptic action when applied topically. It softens and destroys the stratum corneum by increasing endogenous hydration which causes the horny layer of the skin to swell, soften, and then desquamate. At high concentrations, salicylic acid has a caustic effect. It also possesses weak antifungal and antibacterial activity.

This ointment contains Boric Acid, Dithranol and Salicylic Acid as active ingredients. This ointment works by inhibiting the process of cell proliferation in the skin; works on reducing swelling, redness, pimples and also loosens and softens the dry and scaly skin; inhibiting the bacterial and fungal growth; exact mechanism of action unknown.

Dosage & Administration

Apply on the skin 2 times daily. The preparation is applied to the lesion, covered with a dressing & left for 1 hour.

Side Effects

The following is a list of possible side-effects that may occur from all constituting ingredients of this ointment. This is not a comprehensive list. These side-effects are possible, but do not always occur. Some of the side-effects may be rare but serious. Consult your doctor if you observe any of the following side-effects, especially if they do not go away.

• Contact allergic reactions
• Irritation in skin areas surrounding treated lesions
• Soreness
• Temporary discoloration of hair and fingernails
• Mild cold or burning sensation at the site of application
• Severe allergic reaction
• Cardiovascular defects
• Skeletal variations
• Mild kidney lesions
• Infertility

Storage Conditions

Store medicines at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze medicines unless required by package insert. Keep medicines away from children.

Tretinoin Topical

Tretinoin is an acid form of retinal. Tretinoin is used to treat acne. Usually, this type of topical preparation promotes peeling of affected skin areas and unclogs pores. Here are some medicines of this group.

Isotrex Gel

• Tretinoin
• 0.05%
• GlaxoSmithKline

Indications

• For the treatment of acne vulgaris in which comedones, papules and pustules predominate.
• For the treatment of hyperpigmentation, roughness and fine wrinkling of photodamaged skin due to chronic sun exposure.
• For the treatment of Acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Pharmacology

Tretinoin is structurally and pharmacologically related to vitamin A. Current evidence suggests that topical Tretinoin decreases cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells with decreased microcomedone formation. Additionally, Tretinoin stimulates mitotic activity and increases turnover of follicular epithelial cells, causing extrusion of the comedones

Dosage & Administration

Tretinoin cream: Tretinoin cream should be applied sparingly to the whole affected area once or twice daily. The skin should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before application. Patient should be advised that 6 to 8 weeks of treatment may be required before a therapeutic effect is observed. Moisturisers and cosmetics may be used during treatment with Cosmotrin cream but should not be applied to the skin at the same time. Astringent toiletries should be avoided.

Tretinoin gel: Tretinoin gel should be applied once or twice a day, before retiring, to the skin where lesions appear, using enough to cover the entire affected area lightly. The frequency of application can be adjusted to obtain maximum clinical efficacy with minimal erythema and scaling.

If Tretinoin gel is applied excessively, no more rapid or better results will be obtained and marked redness, peeling or discomfort may occur. Should this occur accidentally or through over-enthusiastic use, application should be discontinued for few days.

Patience is needed in this treatment, since the therapeutic effects will not usually be observed until after 6-8 weeks of treatment. During the early weeks of treatment, an apparent exacerbation of inflammatory lesions may occur. This is due to the action of the medication on deep, previously unseen comedones and papules. Once the acne lesions have responded satisfactorily, it should be possible to maintain the improvement with less frequent applications.

Moisturizers and cosmetics may be used during treatment with Tretinoin gel but should not be applied to the skin at the same time. The skin should be thoroughly washed before application of Tretinoin gel. Astringent toiletries should be avoided.

Side Effects

True allergic contact dermatitis is rare but a primary irritant dermatitis, manifesting itself as irritation, erythema, peeling and sensation of warmth, is common. Slight stinging is common as a mild reaction in many people but usually settles with continuous use and/or reduction in the frequency of application of the drug.

Cinamycin Plus Topical Gel

• Clindamycin + Tretinoin
• 1.2%+0.025%
• Ibn Sina Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

Clindamycin and Tretinoin gel is indicated for the topical treatment of Acne vulgaris.

Pharmacology

This is a combination of lincosamide antibiotic Clindamycin phosphate and retinoid Tretinoin. Clindamycin binds with the 50s ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria and prevents elongation of peptide chain by interfering with the peptidyl transfer, thereby suppressing bacterial protein synthesis. Clindamycin inhibits the activity of Propionibacterium acne as reduces the occurrence of acne. Tretinoin decreases the cohesiveness of follicular epithelial cells and increases the turn over thereby brings the comedones out.

Dosage & Administration

Before sleep: Wash the face gently with a mild soap and water, then pat the skin dry. Apply the Gel with finger tips through the face gently.

In the morning: Apply a sunscreen after the application of Gel. Do not wash your face more than 2 or 3 times a day. Apply the sunscreen cream as needed.

Side Effects

Erythema, scaling, nasopharyngitis, dry skin, cough, sinusitis, and diarrhea are the common side effects.

Storage Conditions

Keep below 25°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Trimela Cream

• Fluocinolone Acetonide + Hydroquinone + Tretinoin
• 0.01%+4%+0.05%
• Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

This cream is indicated for the short-term treatment of moderate to severe melasma of the face, in the presence of measures for sun avoidance, including the use of sunscreens.

Pharmacology

Fluocinolone acetonide is a synthetic fluorinated corticosteroid that reduces inflammation.

Hydroquinone is classified therapeutically as a depigmenting agent and interrupts one or more steps in the tyrosine-tyrosinase pathway of melanin synthesis.

Tretinoin is a metabolite of Vitamin A is classified therapeutically as a keratolytic. It works by increasing the skin cell turnover rate, which helps exfoliate the skin.

Dosage

This cream should be applied once daily at night. It should be applied at least 30 minutes before bedtime. A thin film of the cream should be applied to the hyperpigmented areas of melasma including about ½ inch of normal appearing skin surrounding each lesion.

Cream is for short-term (up to 8 weeks) treatment of moderate to severe melasma of the face. It is not for long-term (more than 8 weeks) or maintenance (continuous) treatment of melasma.

Side Effects

The most frequently reported events were erythema, desquamation, burning, itching, irritation, dryness, hypopigmentation, perioral dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, secondary infection, and skin atrophy at the site of application. The majority of these events were mild to moderate in severity.

Clindamycin    

It is used to treat acne. Clindamycin is in a class of medications called lincomycin antibiotics. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause acne and by decreasing swelling. Below are the medicines of this group.

Clindax-B Topical Gel

• Clindamycin + Benzoyl peroxide
• 1%+5%
• Opsonin Pharma Ltd.

Indications

Indicated in acne vulgaris

Pharmacology

Clindamycin is a semi-synthetic derivative of lincomycin. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by reversibly binding to the 50S ribosomal subunits thus blocking the transpeptidation or translocation reactions of susceptible organisms.

Benzoyl peroxide has mild keratolytic effect and antimicrobial activity which is attributed to its potent oxidizing activity. Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide are both active against Propionibacterium acnes, an organism associated with acne vulgaris.

Dosage & Administration

Apply to the affected areas once or twice daily (morning and evening) after the skin is gently washed and patted dry.

Side Effects

Application site pain, Application site exfoliation, Application site irritation, Erythema, Burning, Pruritus, Sunburn, Scaling, Drynes, Colitis, Peelin

Clinface Topical Gel

• Clindamycin + Tretinoin
• 1.2%+0.025%
• Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Indications

Clindamycin and Tretinoin gel is indicated for the topical treatment of Acne vulgaris.

Dosage & Administration

Before sleep: Wash the face gently with a mild soap and water, then pat the skin dry. Apply the Gel with finger tips through the face gently.

In the morning: Apply a sunscreen after the application of Gel. Do not wash your face more than 2 or 3 times a day. Apply the sunscreen cream as needed.

Side Effects

Erythema, scaling, nasopharyngitis, dry skin, cough, sinusitis, and diarrhea are the common side effects.

Storage Conditions

Keep below 25°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.