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Summary for primary care

Acne Vulgaris: Management

Latest Guidance Updates

7 December 2023: NICE clarified its recommendations on oral isotretinoin treatment in line with the 2023 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advice on the introduction of new safety measures, following the October 2023 report of the Commission on Human Medicines Isotretinoin Implementation Advisory Expert Working Group. NICE has also made reference to nationally accredited GPs with an Extended Role working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway throughout the guideline.

Overview

This Guidelines summary covers the management of acne vulgaris in primary care. It includes advice on topical and oral treatments (including antibiotics and retinoids), treatment using physical modalities, and the impact of acne vulgaris on mental health and wellbeing. This guideline was commissioned by NICE and developed in partnership with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. NICE worked with the British Association of Dermatologists to develop this guideline.

Throughout this guideline, 'acne' in recommendations refers to 'acne vulgaris' unless otherwise stated.

This Guidelines summary does not include recommendations on photodynamic therapy treatment, the use of intralesional corticosteroids, or treatments available in a consultant dermatologist-led setting. For recommendations in these areas, refer to the full guideline.

Reflecting on Your Learnings

Reflection is important for continuous learning and development, and a critical part of the revalidation process for UK healthcare professionals. Click here to access the Guidelines Reflection Record.

Information and Support for People with Acne Vulgaris

  • Give people with acne clear information tailored to their needs and concerns. Topics to cover include:
  • Include parents and carers in discussions if the person with acne would like them to be involved, or when support is needed (for example, for a person with cognitive impairment).

Skin Care Advice

  • Advise people with acne to use a non-alkaline (skin pH neutral or slightly acidic) synthetic detergent (syndet) cleansing product twice daily on acne-prone skin.
  • Advise people with acne who use skin care products (for example, moisturisers) and sunscreens to avoid oil-based and comedogenic preparations.
  • Advise people with acne who use make-up to avoid oil-based and comedogenic products, and to remove make-up at the end of the day.
  • Advise people that persistent picking or scratching of acne lesions can increase the risk of scarring.

Diet

  • Advise people that there is not enough evidence to support specific diets for treating acne.

    For general advice about a balanced diet and how it could contribute to wellbeing see Public Health England’s Eatwell Guide.

Referral to Specialist Care

  • Urgently refer people with acne fulminans on the same day to the on-call hospital dermatology team, to be assessed within 24 hours.
  • Refer people to a consultant dermatologist-led team or a nationally accredited GP with an Extended Role (GPwER) working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway if any of the following apply:
    • there is diagnostic uncertainty about their acne
    • they have acne conglobata
    • they have nodulo-cystic acne.
  • Consider referring people to a consultant dermatologist-led team or a nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway if they have:
    • mild to moderate acne that has not responded to 2 completed courses of treatment (see Table 1)
    • moderate to severe acne which has not responded to previous treatment that contains an oral antibiotic (see Table 1)
    • acne that is leading to scarring
    • acne with persistent pigmentary changes.
  • Consider referring people to a consultant dermatologist-led team or a nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway if their acne of any severity is causing or contributing to persistent psychological distress or a mental health disorder.
  • Consider referral to mental health services if a person with acne experiences significant psychological distress or a mental health disorder, including those with a current or past history of:
  • Consider condition-specific management or referral to a specialist (for example, a reproductive endocrinologist), if a medical disorder or medication (including self-administered anabolic steroids) is likely to be contributing to a person’s acne.

Managing Acne Vulgaris

The recommendations in this section cover mild to moderate and moderate to severe acne.

First-line Treatment Options

  • Offer people with acne a 12-week course of one of the following first-line treatment options, taking account of the severity of their acne and the person’s preferences, and after a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each option (see Table 1):
    • a fixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide for any acne severity
    • a fixed combination of topical tretinoin with topical clindamycin for any acne severity
    • a fixed combination of topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin for mild to moderate acne
    • a fixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide, together with either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline for moderate to severe acne
    • topical azelaic acid with either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline for moderate to severe acne.

Table 1: Treatment Choices for Mild to Moderate and Moderate to Severe Acne Vulgaris

Acne SeverityTreatmentAdvantagesDisadvantages
Any severityFixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide, applied once daily in the evening
  • Topical
  • Does not contain antibiotics
  • Not for use during pregnancy
  • Use with caution during breastfeeding (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option)
  • Can cause skin irritation (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option), photosensitivity, and bleaching of hair and fabrics
Any severityFixed combination of topical tretinoin with topical clindamycin, applied once daily in the evening
  • Topical
  • Not for use during pregnancy of breastfeeding (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option)
  • Can cause skin irritation (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option) and photosensitivity
Mild to moderateFixed combination of topical benzoyl peroxide with topical clindamycin, applied once daily in the evening
  • Topical
  • Can be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Can cause skin irritation (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option), photosensitivity, and bleaching of hair and fabrics
Moderate to severeFixed combination of topical adapalene with topical benzoyl peroxide, applied once daily in the evening, plus either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline taken once daily
  • Oral component may be effective in treating affected areas that are difficult to reach with topical treatment (such as the back)
  • Treatment with adequate courses of standard therapy with systemic antibiotics and topical therapy is a Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency requirement for subsequent oral isotretinoin, which is only recommended for severe acne (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option and the MHRA guidance on new safety measures for isotretinoin)
  • Not for use in pregnancy, during breastfeeding (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option), or under the age of 12
  • Topical adapalene and topical benzoyl peroxide can cause skin irritation (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option), photosensitivity, and bleaching of hair and fabrics
  • Oral antibiotics may cause systemic side effects and antimicrobial resistance
  • Oral tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity
Moderate to severeTopical azelaic acid applied twice daily, plus either oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline taken once daily
  • Oral component may be effective in treating affected areas that are difficult to reach with topical treatment (such as the back)
  • Treatment with adequate courses of standard therapy with systemic antibiotics and topical therapy is an MHRA requirement for subsequent oral isotretinoin, which is only recommended for severe acne (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option and the MHRA guidance on new safety measures for isotretinoin)
  • Not for use in pregnancy, during breastfeeding (see the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option), or under the age of 12
  • Oral antibiotics may cause systemic side effects and resistance
  • Oral tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity
  • Consider topical benzoyl peroxide monotherapy as an alternative treatment to the options in Table 1, if:
    • these treatments are contraindicated, or
    • the person wishes to avoid using a topical retinoid, or an antibiotic (topical or oral).
  • For people with moderate to severe acne who cannot tolerate or have contraindications to oral lymecycline or oral doxycycline, consider replacing these medicines in the combination treatments in Table 1 with trimethoprim or with an oral macrolide (for example, erythromycin). 

Factors to Take Into Account During Consultations

Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option

  • Take into account that the risk of scarring increases with the severity and duration of acne.
  • To reduce the risk of skin irritation associated with topical treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or retinoids, start with alternate-day or short-contact application (for example, washing off after an hour). If tolerated, progress to using a standard application.
  • When discussing treatment choices with a person with childbearing potential, cover:
    • that topical retinoids and oral tetracyclines are contraindicated during pregnancy and when planning a pregnancy and
    • that they will need to use effective contraception, or choose an alternative treatment to these options.
  • If a person receiving treatment for acne wishes to use hormonal contraception, consider using the combined oral contraceptive pill in preference to the progestogen-only pill (if oral isotretinoin treatment is likely to be used, also see the section Oral Isotretinoin Treatment).
  • If clinical judgement indicates a person may need treatment with oral isotretinoin for their acne in future:
  • Do not use the following to treat acne:
    • monotherapy with a topical antibiotic
    • monotherapy with an oral antibiotic
    • a combination of a topical antibiotic and an oral antibiotic.

Factors to Take Into Account at Review

  • Review first-line treatment at 12 weeks and:
    • assess whether the person’s acne has improved, and whether they have any side effects
    • in people whose treatment includes an oral antibiotic, if their acne has completely cleared consider stopping the antibiotic but continuing the topical treatment
    • in people whose treatment includes an oral antibiotic, if their acne has improved but not completely cleared, consider continuing the oral antibiotic, alongside the topical treatment, for up to 12 more weeks.
  • Only continue a treatment option that includes an antibiotic (topical or oral) for more than 6 months in exceptional circumstances. Review at 3-monthly intervals, and stop the antibiotic as soon as possible.
  • Be aware that the use of antibiotic treatments is associated with a risk of antimicrobial resistance (see the NICE guideline on antimicrobial stewardship).
  • If a person’s acne has cleared, consider maintenance options (also see the section on maintenance).
  • If acne fails to respond adequately to a 12-week course of a first-line treatment option and at review the severity is:
    • mild to moderate: offer another option from the table of treatment choices (see Table 1)
    • moderate to severe, and the treatment did not include an oral antibiotic: offer another option which includes an oral antibiotic from the table of treatment choices (see Table 1)
    • moderate to severe, and the treatment included an oral antibiotic: consider referral to a consultant dermatologist-led team or a nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway.
  • If mild to moderate acne fails to respond adequately to 2 different 12-week courses of treatment options, consider referral to a consultant dermatologist-led team or a nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway.

Oral Isotretinoin Treatment

  • Consider oral isotretinoin for people older than 12 years who have a severe form of acne that is resistant to adequate courses of standard therapy with systemic antibiotics and topical therapy (Table 1). For example:
    • nodulo-cystic acne
    • acne conglobata
    • acne fulminans
    • acne at risk of permanent scarring.
  • If a person with acne is likely to benefit from oral isotretinoin treatment:
    • Follow the MHRA guidance on new safety measures for isotretinoin. This includes:
      • guidance on roles and responsibilities of referrers (usually the primary care clinician) and prescribers initiating, continuing and monitoring isotretinoin treatment
      • requirements that the initiation of isotretinoin treatment in people under 18 requires agreement by 2 independent healthcare professionals that there is no other appropriate effective treatment before it is prescribed
      • requirements for counselling people about potential mental health and sexual function side effects
      • requirements for assessing and monitoring mental health and sexual function
      • use of compulsory regulatory documents to minimise risk: patient acknowledgement of risk form and reminder card, and pharmacist checklist.

        See the Commission on Human Medicines Isotretinoin Implementation Advisory Expert Working Group report for more detail.
  • When making a referral to the consultant dermatologist-led team or the nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway for the consideration of isotretinoin treatment:
    • fully inform the person (and their family and carers, as appropriate) about the potential risks of isotretinoin treatment as well as the expected benefits
    • provide details of the person's current and past medical history (including all current and previous mental health issues), and any relevant social and family history
    • for people under 18, document whether you are willing to become the second approved named healthcare professional who agrees that isotretinoin is the appropriate treatment.
  • When considering oral isotretinoin for acne take into account the person’s psychological wellbeing (see the recommendation on referral to mental health services in the section Referral to Specialist Care), and refer them to mental health services before starting treatment if appropriate. See also MHRA requirements to assess mental health before starting isotretinoin treatment.
  • If a person for whom oral isotretinoin treatment is being considered has the potential to become pregnant:
    • explain that isotretinoin can cause serious harm to a developing baby if taken during pregnancy and
    • inform them that they will need to follow the MHRA pregnancy prevention programme as detailed on the isotretinoin acknowledgement of risk form.
  • Prescribe oral isotretinoin for acne treatment (see the first recommendation in this section) at a standard daily dose of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg.
  • Consider a reduced daily dose of isotretinoin (less than 0.5 mg/kg) for people at increased risk of, or experiencing, adverse effects.
  • When giving isotretinoin as a course of treatment for acne:
    • continue until a total cumulative dose of 120 to 150 mg/kg is reached, but
    • if there has been an adequate response and no new acne lesions for 4 to 8 weeks, consider discontinuing treatment sooner.
  • If a person is taking oral isotretinoin for acne:
    • review their psychological wellbeing during treatment, and monitor them regularly for symptoms or signs of developing or worsening mental health problems or sexual dysfunction
    • tell them to seek medical advice if they feel their mental health or sexual function is affected or is worsening, and to stop their treatment and seek urgent medical advice if these problems are severe.

Use of Oral Corticosteroids in Addition to Oral Isotretinoin

  • If an acne flare (acute significant worsening of acne) occurs after starting oral isotretinoin, consider adding a course of oral prednisolone.
  • When a person with acne fulminans is started on oral isotretinoin, consider adding a course of oral prednisolone to prevent an acne flare.

Treatment Options for People with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

  • For people with polycystic ovary syndrome and acne:
    • treat their acne using a first-line treatment option (see the first recommendation in the section First-line Treatment Options and Table 1)
    • if the chosen first-line treatment is not effective, consider adding ethinylestradiol with cyproterone acetate (co-cyprindiol) or an alternative combined oral contraceptive pill to their treatment
    • for those using co-cyprindiol, review at 6 months and discuss continuation or alternative treatment options.
  • Consider referring people with acne and polycystic ovary syndrome with additional features of hyperandrogenism to an appropriate specialist (for example, a reproductive endocrinologist).
For recommendations on physical treatments and use of intralesional corticosteroids, refer to the full guideline.

Relapse

  • If acne responds adequately to a course of an appropriate first-line treatment (see the section First-line Treatment Options and Table 1) but then relapses, consider either:
    • another 12-week course of the same treatment, or
    • an alternative 12-week treatment (see Table 1).
  • If acne relapses after an adequate response to oral isotretinoin and is currently mild to moderate, offer an appropriate treatment option (see Table 1).
  • If acne relapses after an adequate response to oral isotretinoin and is currently moderate to severe, offer either:
    • a 12-week course of an appropriate treatment option (see Table 1), or
    • re-referral, if the person is no longer under the care of the consultant dermatologist-led team or the nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway.
  • If acne relapses after a second course of oral isotretinoin and is currently moderate to severe, further care should be decided by the consultant dermatologist-led team or the nationally accredited GPwER working within a consultant dermatologist-agreed pathway. If the person is no longer under their care, offer re-referral.

Maintenance

  • Encourage continued appropriate skin care (see the section Skin Care Advice).
  • Explain to the person with acne that, after completion of treatment, maintenance treatment is not always necessary.
  • Consider maintenance treatment in people with a history of frequent relapse after treatment.
  • Consider a fixed combination of topical adapalene and topical benzoyl peroxide as maintenance treatment for acne. If this is not tolerated, or if 1 component of the combination is contraindicated, consider topical monotherapy with adapalene, azelaic acid, or benzoyl peroxide (see also the recommendation on starting topical treatment in the section Factors to Take Into Account When Choosing a Treatment Option).
  • Review maintenance treatments for acne after 12 weeks to decide if they should continue. 

Management of Acne-related Scarring

  • If a person has acne-related scarring, discuss their concerns and provide information in a way that suits their needs. Topics to cover include:
    • possible reasons for their scars
    • treatment of ongoing acne to help prevent further scarring (see the section First-line Treatment Options and the first recommendation in the section Oral Isotretinoin Treatment)
    • possible treatment options for acne-related scarring
    • the way their acne scars may change over time
    • psychological distress.
  • If a person’s acne-related scarring is severe and persists a year after their acne has cleared:
    • refer the person to a consultant dermatologist-led team with expertise in scarring management.

For a recommendation on CO2 laser treatment and glycolic acid peel, refer to the full guideline.


References


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