If you have severe acne, including painful lumps, or if your skin does not respond to topical medications, the best option is using oral antibiotics. If you have severe back acne, which is hard to treat with topical products oral antibiotics are very useful.

Septra, also known as sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim generically, is one such oral antibiotic, which can treat even the more severe grades of acne. It takes up to 6-8 weeks to see the full benefit of Septra. But you cannot see its benefits if you stop using it. Anyone using Septra should avoid excess sun exposure.

There is a myth that Septra may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. But, recently a large well designed study has shown that Septra do not decrease the effectiveness of the birth control pill if the two medications are given at the same time. However, using a backup method can eliminate any concern and has its own benefits. It is advisable to discuss it further with your doctor if you have any doubts.

The sulfamethoxazole component of Septra is a sulfur-containing drug. Though it causes fewer side effects than the other sulfa drugs, its side effects should also be respected. The most common significant adverse effects are allergic skin reactions. But sometimes they may become quite severe. So, it’s better to discontinue Septra at the first sign of a skin rash.