Praxis Medical Insights

Est. 2024 • Clinical Guidelines Distilled

Made possible by volunteer editors from the University of Calgary & University of Alberta

Last Updated: 8/31/2025

Treatment of Acne in Teenagers with Sarecycline

Efficacy and Recommendations

  • The American Academy of Dermatology conditionally recommends sarecycline as a systemic antibiotic option for moderate to severe acne in adolescents and preadolescents (≥9 years) 1, 2

Treatment Approach

  • For moderate to severe acne with inadequate response to topical therapy after 6-8 weeks, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests adding oral antibiotic therapy, with sarecycline being a good option for teenagers ≥9 years old 2
  • The American Academy of Dermatology recommends limiting systemic antibiotic use to the shortest possible duration (ideally ≤3 months) to minimize risk of bacterial resistance 2
  • Consider the psychological impact of acne when determining treatment aggressiveness, as acne can significantly affect quality of life in teenagers 4

REFERENCES

1

guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. [LINK]

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2024

2

guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. [LINK]

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2024

3

Treatment for Recurrent Boils and Acne Scars [LINK]

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025