Reviewed by Virginia Chachati MPharm
(2013, University College London)
GPhC Registration number: 2087654
Information last reviewed 24/06/2021
Aknemycin Plus is an acne treatment you apply directly onto your skin. It helps clear your skin and reduce the appearance of spots and pimples. Aknemycin Plus contains an antibiotic called erythromycin and tretinoin which is a retinoid.
Aknemycin Plus works effectively to treat acne with its two active ingredients. The antibiotic, erythromycin, reduces redness and inflammation by killing bacteria to stop acne from spreading. Tretinoin is a retinoid that clears your skin by getting rid of blackheads. It also encourages your skin to peel and gets rid of hard dead skin cells.
Aknemycin Plus can take two weeks to work before you notice your skin improving. At first, your skin may become red or irritated, but this is a sign the treatment is working. The full Aknemycin Plus treatment course is usually 9 to 12 weeks.
Aknemycin Plus is designed to be used for 9 to 12 weeks. You should not use it for longer than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.
Aknemycin Plus is an effective treatment for acne. You may need to continue to use acne treatments such as cleansers and creams to prevent spots from coming back. For many people, acne is temporary but breakouts can happen again in the future.
Dose |
Apply to the face one or two times per day |
Type of Medicine |
Macrolide antibiotic with a topical retinoid |
Mechanism |
Erythromycin prevents bacterial synthesis of compounds essential to replication and tretinoin promotes cell detachment and enhances shedding, preventing pores from becoming blocked with dead skin cells |
Available Size |
25ml bottle |
Available Strengths |
4%/0.025% |
Active Ingredient |
Erythromycin and tretinoin |
Price |
From £19.80 |
Side Effects |
Can include temporarily alters skin tone, peeling, skin irritation, skin redness, burning, photosensitivity, rash |
The active ingredients in Aknemycin Plus are erythromycin and tretinoin.
The inactive ingredients in Aknemycin Plus are ethanol, glycerol and copolyvidone.
As this medication contains alcohol, it can irritate the skin after application and you may experience a sore, dry or burnt sensation or see peeling. In very rare cases these symptoms may also be an expression of an allergic reaction so it is important to get this checked with a doctor. In the meantime, stop using the medication.
Aknemycin Plus is a liquid that comes in a bottle with a foam applicator pad on top. Before you can use Aknemycin Plus, you need the liquid to soak into the foam applicator pad. To do this, press the end of the screw cap against the foam applicator pad until you feel it click into place. Turn the whole bottle upside down to soak the foam applicator pad with Aknemycin Plus. Then you can smoothly and gently apply Aknemycin Plus to your face once or twice a day.
Aknemycin Plus should be applied to the skin one or two times per day. Always use Aknemycin Plus as your doctor has prescribed.
Aknemycin Plus is normally used for 9 to 12 weeks. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how long you should use Aknemycin Plus.
If you use too much Aknemycin Plus your skin can become dry, red or irritated. If this happens, do not use Aknemycin Plus until your skin feels better. Try to wash off any extra Aknemycin Plus and use a high SPF sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from sunlight.
If you forget to use Aknemycin Plus, apply it as soon as you remember. Never double up the amount you need to use to make up for missing a dose of Aknemycin Plus.
When you start using Aknemycin Plus, your skin might feel like it is getting worse. This is temporary and it is a sign that the treatment is working.
Other side effects may include:
You should not use Aknemycin Plus if:
Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking any other medicines before using Aknemycin Plus. Take extra care if you are using any of these treatments alongside Aknemycin Plus:
You should not use Aknemycin Plus if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying for a baby. Speak to your doctor for an alternative acne treatment option.
You should not use other acne creams or cleansers while using Aknemycin Plus. It can cause further skin irritation and dryness.
For mild acne, there are alternative treatment options available over the counter. However, if your acne is moderate to severe, the following medicines are available on prescription from Dr Felix:
You should not use toothpaste to dry out spots as it can cause skin irritation.
Acne can be difficult to live with given the impact it has on your physical appearance. If you experience low self-esteem because of acne, then it's important to remember that many people feel this way too. Try giving your treatment time to work. It can be frustrating when you don't see instant results, but all acne treatments require time to reduce the appearance of spots. Talking to people about how you feel and reaching out for support can help.
There are natural home remedies that can clear up spots caused by mild acne. These include:
However, for moderate to severe acne, you may need to try an over the counter acne treatment, or a prescription medicine such as Aknemycin Plus from Dr Felix.
Hormonal changes can cause acne in young people and adults. This can trigger the skin to produce excess oil. For example, during puberty, pregnancy and menstruation. Using makeup that clogs pores can also lead to a buildup of bacteria which can cause spots.
There are six different types of acne. These are:
Cysts and nodules are signs of severe acne and are more difficult to treat. Cysts are most likely to leave permanent scars.
You can wear makeup while using Aknemycin Plus. After you apply Aknemycin Plus, give it a few minutes to sink in. Then you can moisturise your skin and put on your makeup. Try to use non-comedogenic makeup which won't clog up your pores. Always remove your makeup before going to bed.
Acne can leave scars, especially if you have cysts and nodules. Most acne scars will gradually fade after a couple of weeks or months but some can be permanent.
The three types of acne scars are:
Treatment for acne scarring is not available on the NHS and can be expensive. Options include:
There is no quick fix for acne as your skin needs time to generate new cells and heal. Treatments such as Aknemycin Plus can be effective in clearing your skin but they take time to work.
We’re a fully regulated pharmacy, with qualified doctors and happy customers
Cheaper than other pharmacies, received the medicine fast and in discreet packaging as promised. Will use again.
Michael
Quick and discreet
I ordered Azithromycin tablets for chlamydia treatment, received it next day in a brown discreet pack, and cheaper than all other pharmacies, can't ask for more
Jordan McCann