Table 2.

Topical antibiotics used in acne

Drug	Effectiveness	Evidence	Side effects
Clindamycin	Reduces inflammatory lesions	2 systematic reviews11,12	Local irritation
Erythromycin	Reduces inflammatory lesions	2 systematic reviews11,12	No important adverse effects reported
Erythromycin plus zinc	Reduces non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions	1 systematic review12	Local irritation, visible on skin
Erythromycin plus benzoyl peroxide*	Reduces non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions	1 randomised controlled trial13	Local irritation, may bleach clothing
Tetracycline	Reduces severity of acne	1 systematic review12	Skin discoloration, fluorescence in disco lighting

^*Some experts do not recommend combinations of antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide as degradation of the antibiotic by the benzoyl peroxide makes them unstable.⁵