Therapy	Mechanism of action	Dosage	Symptoms improved	Cost of generic (brand)*	In retail discount programs†
Metronidazole	Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory	0.75% or 1%; once or twice per day	Erythema, pustules, nodules	0.75%: $50 to $60 ($214) for 45 g
				1%: NA ($137 to $160) for 60 g
Azelaic acid	Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory	15%; once or twice per day	Erythema, pustules, nodules	NA ($127) for 50 g
Sulfacetamide/sulfur	Antibacterial, keratolytic	10%/5%; once or twice per day	Erythema, pustules, nodules	$29 for 50 g ($66 to $131 for 45 g)
Benzoyl peroxide	Antibacterial	5%; once or twice per day	Erythema, pustules, nodules	$13 ($22) for 45 g
Erythromycin	Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory	2%; twice per day	Pustules, nodules	$19 for 30 g ($33 for 27 g)	✓
Clindamycin	Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory	1%; twice per day	Pustules, nodules	$18 ($63) for 30 g
Silymarin and methylsulfonylmethane	Bioflavonoid, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective	Twice per day	Erythema, telangiectasias, nodules, stinging	—
Tretinoin	Epidermal keratinization	0.025%, 0.05%, or 0.1%; at bedtime	Pustules, nodules	0.025%: $40 ($57 to $77) for 20 g
				0.05%: $46 ($88) for 20 g
				0.1%: $47 ($101) for 20 g
Adapalene	Epidermal keratinization	0.1% or 0.3%; at bedtime	Pustules, nodules	0.1%: NA ($169 to $172) for 45 g
				0.3%: NA ($161) for 45 g
Permethrin	Antiparasitic (Demodex folliculorum)	5%; twice per day	Erythema, pustules, nodules	$20 ($19 to $73) for 60 g