Oral Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris

Oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of urinary tract infections, shigellosis, acute otitis media in pediatric patients, and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. TMP-SMX has been used off label in dermatology to treat various skin conditions, including acne vulgaris and other skin and soft tissue infections, especially those infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.