Lymecycline

Lymecycline is an antibiotic with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects that stop bacteria from growing. It's usually prescribed for treating skin conditions such as acne or perioral dermatitis.

Perioral dermatitis is a condition marked by a red rash around the face. It can often be mistaken for acne since both conditions involve redness, itchiness, and acne-like spots. The exact cause isn't known, but inflammation of the hair follicles and blood vessels results in spots, typically around the mouth. Treatment usually involves topical calcineurin inhibitors, or antibiotics if creams aren't effective.

Lymecycline belongs to a group of medicines known as tetracyclines. These medicines work by attaching to the ribosome, the part of the cell responsible for making proteins, which halts protein production. Without proteins, bacteria can't grow and eventually die. Lymecycline also helps reduce inflammation by lowering the fatty acids in sebum, the oily substance on your skin. Too many fatty acids can lead to spots, so reducing them can help clear your skin.

Like all medicines, lymecycline can cause side effects in some individuals. These may include:

Taking lymecycline with a meal may help reduce feelings of nausea. For further details on side effects, please refer to the patient leaflet.

Perioral dermatitis is usually managed with a topical ointment such as Protopic. The active ingredient, tacrolimus monohydrate, works by preventing the release of inflammatory molecules and dampening the immune response. This helps to reduce the inflammation of the spots and clears facial rashes.

However, if the condition is quite serious, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.