Lymecycline and azelaic acid gel
"An effective combination treatment for mild to moderate acne. Take one daily antibiotic tablet paired and apply an antibacterial gel to your skin morning and night. Azelaic acid gel gently exfoliates and is also widely known as Finacea. Side effects are often mild."
What are lymecycline and azelaic acid gel?
Lymecycline is an antibiotic often used to treat acne. Azelaic acid is a topical gel, meaning you apply it to your skin. It's generally much gentler on the skin than other acne treatments. You’ll also see this treatment as lymecycline and Finacea, a branded azelaic acid gel.
How do they work?
The antibiotic lymecycline kills the bacteria that cause acne, treating the root cause of the condition. Azelaic acid gel is a chemical exfoliator that also kills the bacteria that cause acne. It breaks down the oil blockages in pores that provide a food source for the bacteria that cause acne. This means fewer blackheads forming and less oily skin. It also reduces inflammation, allowing your skin to heal.
How to use lymecycline and azelaic acid gel
Take lymecycline each morning with water. Apply azelaic acid gel to clean and dry skin twice daily, morning and evening. For the gel to be effective, make sure you use it continuously throughout your course of treatment.
Treatment results
The combination of lymecycline and azelaic acid is likely to be more effective for those experiencing mild to moderate acne that shows up as small red, white-tipped bumps known as pustules.
If you have sensitive skin, you should find azelaic acid gel less harsh than other topical acne treatments while still being effective.
Side effects of lymecycline and azelaic acid gel
As with all medications, lymecycline can cause side effects for some people. These include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea and headaches. For some people, azelaic acid gel may cause a mild burning sensation in the treated area, along with redness, dryness and peeling skin.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the lymecycline and azelaic acid gel patient information leaflets. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
Oral antibiotic lymecycline kills the bacteria that cause acne
Azelaic acid gel helps to break down acne
Suitable for those with sensitive skin
What are lymecycline and azelaic acid gel?
Lymecycline is an antibiotic often used to treat acne. Azelaic acid is a topical gel, meaning you apply it to your skin. It's generally much gentler on the skin than other acne treatments. You’ll also see this treatment as lymecycline and Finacea, a branded azelaic acid gel.
How do they work?
The antibiotic lymecycline kills the bacteria that cause acne, treating the root cause of the condition. Azelaic acid gel is a chemical exfoliator that also kills the bacteria that cause acne. It breaks down the oil blockages in pores that provide a food source for the bacteria that cause acne. This means fewer blackheads forming and less oily skin. It also reduces inflammation, allowing your skin to heal.
How to use lymecycline and azelaic acid gel
Take lymecycline each morning with water. Apply azelaic acid gel to clean and dry skin twice daily, morning and evening. For the gel to be effective, make sure you use it continuously throughout your course of treatment.
Treatment results
The combination of lymecycline and azelaic acid is likely to be more effective for those experiencing mild to moderate acne that shows up as small red, white-tipped bumps known as pustules.
If you have sensitive skin, you should find azelaic acid gel less harsh than other topical acne treatments while still being effective.
Side effects of lymecycline and azelaic acid gel
As with all medications, lymecycline can cause side effects for some people. These include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea and headaches. For some people, azelaic acid gel may cause a mild burning sensation in the treated area, along with redness, dryness and peeling skin.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the lymecycline and azelaic acid gel patient information leaflets. And if you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
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Lymecycline and azelaic acid gel FAQs
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Who can use lymecycline and azelaic acid?
Lymecycline and azelaic acid is a combination treatment for those with mild to moderate acne, especially if you have sensitive skin.
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Can I use lymecycline and azelaic acid while pregnant or breastfeeding?
You shouldn’t take lymecycline or use azelaic acid while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you think you could be pregnant, we advise taking a test before you start this treatment.
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Where can I buy lymecycline and azelaic acid?
You’ll need a prescription to buy lymecycline and azelaic acid, if you’re using an online service.
One of our clinicians can prescribe these medications after an online consultation where we make sure they’re right for you. It only takes a few minutes.
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Lymecycline and azelaic acid warnings
Lymecycline
It’s important to tell your clinician if you have:
- Hepatic impairment or renal insufficiency (a failure of liver and kidney function).
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes or fever).
- Myasthenia Gravis (a disease that weakens the muscles).
Taking more than the prescribed dose of lymecycline could cause liver problems. You should also avoid direct exposure to sunlight or other strong UV light sources, for example sunbeds.
If you experience skin discomfort, stop taking lymecycline and speak to your clinician.
Azelaic acid
Before using azelaic acid, please note:
- The medication is for use on your skin only. Avoid contact with your eyes, mouth and the thin skin around body openings called mucous membranes.
- Remember to always wash your hands after you apply.
- In rare cases, those with asthma who were treated with azelaic acid reported worsening symptoms.
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Do lymecycline and azelaic acid interact with any other medications?
So our clinicians can prescribe an effective and safe acne treatment, you’ll need to let us know which prescription and over-the-counter medicines you’re taking regularly. This includes any medications for other skin conditions like eczema.
Lymecycline can make other medications less effective, from certain contraceptive pills to indigestion remedies. When using azelaic acid gel, it’s best to avoid:
- Other acne treatments you apply to your skin (topical) unless prescribed by your clinician
- Harsh skincare products like scrubs and peels
- Cleansers with high levels of alcohol that can dry out skin
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Alternative acne treatments
Our clinicians can prescribe a range of acne treatments including other gels and creams, different oral antibiotics and tailored combinations of these. If you’re a woman with hormonal acne, your treatment could include the contraceptive pill co-cyprindiol (widely known as Dianette or Clairette).
Delivery and collection information
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Standard delivery (Free)
Packages will be delivered within 2-3 working days of your order being approved.
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver the next working day.
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Next day delivery (£4.95)
Mainland UK
- Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive the next day (Tuesday - Saturday).
- Orders approved up to 11am Saturday will arrive on Sunday.
- Orders approved after 11am Saturday and all-day Sunday will arrive Tuesday.
Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scottish Highlands, Channel Islands and other offshore UK destinations:
- Please allow an additional 24 to 48 hours for offshore UK destinations
You’ll be contacted by your courier when they know when they’ll be delivering your package. You can update your delivery preferences in the Royal Mail app to enable delivery to a neighbour or leave in a safe place if you won't be in.
If you’re not present when Royal Mail deliver your treatment, they will:
- Post your parcel through your letter box
- Deliver to neighbour
- Deliver to your chosen safe place
If none of these options are feasible, Royal Mail will attempt to deliver to you the next working day.
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Click and Collect (Free)
If your order is approved by 5pm Monday-Friday, you should be able to pick it up the same day from selected pharmacies - provided they have your treatment in stock.
We suggest you ring your chosen pharmacy before you go to collect your treatment, just to make sure they have it in stock and ready.
