Condition

Acne & Pimples

Creams, gels, and tablets for treating acne, pimples, and oily skin

19 drugs
6 OTC
13 Prescription

Painkiller / Blood Thinner

NSAID — Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Antiplatelet

1

Acetylsalicylic Acid

OTC

Headache, body pain, fever, joint pain, toothache, prevention of heart attack, prevention of stroke, mild arthritis pain

ASA 75 TabletAspirin Cardio 100mg TabletAvroprin 300mg TabletAvroprin-75 TabletEmprin 300mg TabletEmprin 500 TabletShalina Aspirin 75 TabletSPEED GR Tablet

Painkiller and stimulant combination

analgesic

1

Acetylsalicylic acid; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, muscle pain, joint pain, menstrual pain (period pain), mild fever, back pain

Alabukun PowderBioraj Pain PowderCafekrisCafenol TabletsToptabs Tablets

Painkiller and fever reducer

analgesic/antipyretic combination

1

Acetylsalicylic Acid; Paracetamol; Caffeine

OTC

Headache, body pain, toothache, muscle pain, menstrual cramps, joint pain, mild fever, cold and flu symptoms

APC Plus TabletsNimedex Tablets

Retinoid

Vitamin A-based skin treatment

1

Adapalene

Prescription

Acne (pimples, blackheads, whiteheads), rough bumpy skin on the face

Epiflin 1mg Gel

Antibiotic

Macrolide

2

Azithromycin

Prescription

Chest infections, cough and catarrh caused by bacteria, typhoid, sore throat, ear infections, skin infections, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, eye infections

Afithro-500 TabletsAgazit TabletsAvrozith 250mg CapsulesAvrozith SuspensionAxerem 500 TabletsAxerem SuspensionAzglo TabletAzglo Tablets

Erythromycin

Prescription

Chest infections, pneumonia, throat infections, tonsillitis, skin infections, boils, ear infections, eye infections, typhoid, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, wound infections

Acithromac SuspensionAcithromac TabletArtemis Erythromycin 500mg TabletsBiobacta TabletBiopharma Erythromycin 500 TabletsEroceth-250Eroceth-500Erogran Granules

Topical corticosteroid with keratolytic agent

skin-softening

1

Betamethasone; Salicylic acid

Prescription

Psoriasis (thick scaly skin patches), eczema with thick skin, dandruff and scalp conditions with heavy flaking, dermatitis (itchy inflamed skin), rough scaly skin conditions

Betasalic LotionBetasalic OintmentSaffrovate-S Lotion

Antibiotic

Lincosamide

2

Clindamycin

Prescription

Serious skin infections, bone and joint infections, dental infections, pelvic infections in women, lung infections (like lung abscess), wound infections, acne (topical form)

Ceremit-150 CapsuleCeremit-300 CapsuleChemimycin-150 CapsulesChemimycin-300 CapsulesClincap 150 CapsulesClinda GPO CapsulesClinda GPO Capsules 300mgClindamycin Capsule

Clindamycin phosphate

Prescription

Skin infections, acne (pimples), wound infections, bone infections, serious body infections, infections after surgery, vaginal infections

Clindamycin Phosphate GelEverdestiny Clindamycin Cream

Antibiotic and Antifungal combination

Fights bacterial and fungal infections in body

1

Clindamycin; Clotrimazole

Prescription

Vaginal infections (discharge, itching, odour), bacterial vaginosis, vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis), mixed vaginal infections

Clindess Vaginal SuppositoriesDamphos Vaginal SuppositoriesKlinfast Vaginal SuppositoriesMycoten Plus Vaginal TabletVisitavag Capsules

Topical antibiotic and retinoid combination

anti-acne

1

Clindamycin; Adapalene

Prescription

Pimples, acne, blackheads, whiteheads, face breakouts

Norbacare Gel 30g

Antibiotic

Tetracycline

2

Doxycycline

Prescription

Chest infections, typhoid, urinary tract infections (UTI), sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis), malaria prevention, severe acne (pimples), eye infections, wound infections, pelvic inflammatory disease

Aldox 100mg CapsuleCika Doxycycline CapsuleDoxinDoxy 200 TabletsDoxycap CapsulesDoxycycline 100mgDoxycycline 100mg capsulesDoxycycline Capsules

Oxytetracycline

Prescription

Chest infections, typhoid, urinary tract infections (UTI), eye infections, skin infections like boils and acne, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhoea and chlamydia, wound infections

Oxytetracycline 250mgPashyn 250mg CapsulesSastek Oxytetracycline 250mg Capsules

Combined hormonal contraceptive and anti-androgen

Prevents pregnancy and reduces acne severity

1

Ethinylestradiol; Cyproterone Acetate

Prescription

Severe acne that doesn't respond to other treatments, excessive facial or body hair in women (hirsutism), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) symptoms, and it also works as a contraceptive (prevents pregnancy) while treating these conditions

Cyprodiol TabletDianofem Tablets 2mg/0.035mg

Topical antiseptic and keratolytic

skin treatment

1

Precipitated Sulfur; Mineral Oil; White Ointment

OTC

Skin rashes, scabies (body itching caused by tiny mites), ringworm, acne (pimples), eczema, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis (flaky oily skin patches)

Sulfacan CreamSulphorec Ointment

Keratolytic

skin-softening and wart-removing agent

1

Salicylic acid; Lactic acid; Polidocanol

OTC

Warts, corns, calluses (hardened thick skin on feet or hands)

Collomak SolutionDrullomack Solution

Antiseptic/Antiparasitic

skin treatment

1

Sulfur

OTC

Skin rashes, scabies (body itching caused by tiny mites), ringworm, acne (pimples), dandruff, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis (flaky itchy skin)

Aphasulf OintmentAquasulf OintmentHysulf OintmentKrishat Sulfur OintmentSulphur Skin Ointment

Antibiotic

Tetracycline class

1

Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Prescription

Typhoid, cholera, chest infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections like acne, eye infections, stomach ulcer caused by bacteria (H. pylori), sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia

Alben Tetracycline 250mg CapsuleAuscel TetracyclineKrishat OxytetracyclineLatetra CapsuleMaxcyclin CapsulesNemel Tetracycline CapsuleSalmycin 250 CapsulesTetrakris

Retinoid

Vitamin A derivative for skin

1

Tretinoin

Prescription

Pimples (acne), blackheads, whiteheads, dark spots from acne, rough skin texture, fine wrinkles

Acretin 0.025% CreamAcretin 0.05% CreamAlisar Cream 0.025Alisar Cream 0.05Leetina-A Cream 30gRatin-A CreamTretinoin 0.05% w/w CreamWings Tretinoin Cream 0.05% w/w

When to see a doctor

Seek care if you notice any of the following

  • If you have a large, painful pimple that is red, swollen, or has a yellow or green discharge, go to your nearest clinic or hospital immediately.
  • If you have acne that is spreading rapidly across your face, chest, or back, go to your nearest clinic or hospital as soon as possible.
  • If you have a fever over 38°C (100.4°F) along with acne or pimples, go to your nearest clinic or hospital right away.
  • If you have a pimple that is painful to the touch and does not improve with treatment, go to your nearest clinic or hospital within 24 hours.
  • If you notice a change in the color or texture of your skin, such as dark spots or scarring, go to your nearest clinic or hospital within a week.

For guidance only — always consult a qualified healthcare provider.