Acne Vulgaris — SCE Dermatology MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — At least 3 months (12 weeks)
BAD and NICE guidelines recommend oral antibiotics for acne should be prescribed for a minimum of 3 months (12 weeks) to adequately assess response. Courses shorter than 3 months may show incomplete response and contribute to antibiotic resistance through subtherapeutic treatment. If no improvement at 3 months, the antibiotic should be changed or treatment escalated. Oral antibiotics should not be continued beyond 6 months due to resistance concerns. They should always be combined with a topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide (never with a topical antibiotic) to reduce resistance risk.
Reference: BAD 2023 Acne Guidelines; NICE CKS