Systemic agents in the management of acne.

Topical therapy including incision of pustules and injection of corticosteroids into nodular and cystic lesions remains the mainstay of the management of acne. Systemic agents, including diuretics, corticosteroids, broad spectrum antibiotics and progestin-estrogen combinations are significant and valuable additions to the therapy of resistant pustulocystic acne. They are, however, not without side effects and they should be reserved for carefully selected patients for whom they may, when used with discretion, produce gratifying results with relatively low risk.