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A 26-year-old female asked:

I have been suffering from acne for a couple years and have been taking bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) for 4 months. acne has cleared so can i stop taking the medication?

1 doctor answer4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlander
Pathology 46 years experience
Yes: You should not take an antibiotic as sole therapy for acne in any case, or any antibiotic for a long time. Your best move would be to stop this and continue whatever topical agent you are using, or topical benzoyl peroxide at least for a while; taper it and see what happens. If you recur, chances are a topical agent will clear you; if not get with your physician.
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Dr. Su Fairchild
Integrative Medicine 26 years experience
You also should consider probiotics to rebalance your gut flora.
Apr 3, 2014
Last updated Oct 4, 2016

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