epiduo + lymecycline

Epiduo is a gel that is used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne. It contains two active ingredients; benzoyl peroxide and adapalene. These ingredients are both used to treat acne and they work in different ways.

Benzoyl peroxide is an antimicrobial agent and works by killing bacteria on the skin as well as reducing whiteheads and blackheads.

Adapalene helps to reduce inflammation and black and white head formation on the outer layer of the skin.

Apply a thin layer of gel evenly over the acne affected areas only once daily at bedtime. Do not apply near or to the eyes, lips, nostrils or other sensitive areas. The gel should be applied to clean, dry skin and take care to wash your hands thoroughly before and after use.

Do not apply to broken skin.

As with all medicines applied to the skin in the treatment of acne, you may not see results for up to twelve weeks. It is important to be consistent in your application of this gel in order for it to work properly.

Epiduo is not suitable for those with a hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. Do not use in pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Avoid sunlight and UV lamps while using this medicine. Do not use other acne products containing retinoids or benzoyl peroxide while using this medicine or products that are irritating, drying or exfoliating to the skin.

Some people can experience stinging sensation, dryness, scaling and burning sensitivity when they first use this medicine. This presents worst during the first week of use and then tends to settle.

You should not use Epiduo if you think you might be pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is only safe to be used by women who are sexually active if they are using effective contraception. (Oral progestogen-only contraceptives not considered effective).

Download the patient information leaflet for Epiduo here

Lymecycline is an antibiotic that treats the source of the acne by eliminating the bacteria that cause it.

One Lymecycline capsule should be taken each morning with a glass of water. You should take it for at least 8 weeks. Therefore, we supply 12 weeks treatment.

Treatment is usually reviewed after 3 months to see if it should be continued for longer, or stopped.

You should not take Lymecycline if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

You shouldn’t take complementary medicines that have iron or zinc, indigestion remedies with magnesium or aluminium in them as they can stop Lymecycline from working properly.

Also, cholestyramine (for cholesterol), sucralfate (for ulcers) and quinapril (for high blood pressure) may decrease the absorption of Lymecycline. Anti-epilepsy medication such as carbamazepine and phenytoin may accelerate the decomposition of Lymecycline and so it won’t be as effective. These products should not be taken within two hours before or after taking Lymecycline.

A combination of lymecycline with lithium may cause an increase in serum lithium levels.

Concomitant use of oral retinoids (these include some other medicines used to treat acne) or doses of more than 10 000 IU/day of vitamin A should be avoided. An increase in the effects of medicines used to thin your blood may occur with tetracyclines with an increased risk of haemorrhage. Additional use of diuretics should be avoided.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The most common are nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain and headaches.

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet, PIL, for a full list of potential side-effects.

Download the Patient Information Leaflet for Lymecycline here