Sometimes, the most effective way to treat a skin concern is from the inside out. For certain conditions, particularly moderate to severe acne and stubborn pigmentation, what happens beneath the surface of the skin cannot always be fully addressed by creams, serums, or even in-clinic treatments alone. This is where oral medications come in.
At Euphie, oral medications are part of a doctor-led approach for patients whose skin concerns benefit from internal support alongside external treatments. All medications are medical-grade and prescription-only, and can only be dispensed after a proper consultation and assessment by our doctors.
We currently offer oral medications for skin concerns such as moderate to severe acne, melasma and hyperpigmentation, and hair loss, depending on individual suitability and medical evaluation.
Doxycycline and Minocycline are a type of antibiotic that has been used by dermatologists and skin doctors for decades to treat moderate to severe inflammatory acne. They are among the most widely prescribed oral acne medications in the world and are backed by extensive clinical research.
At a moderate to severe level, acne is not just about clogged pores or excess oil. It is also driven by a specific type of bacteria that lives inside the hair follicle and triggers inflammation, leading to the red, swollen, and painful breakouts that are difficult to manage with surface treatments alone. Doxycycline and Minocycline address acne in two ways:
They reduce the bacteria inside the follicle, lowering the bacterial activity that drives active breakouts. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that directly calm the redness, swelling, and severity of inflamed acne lesions, even beyond their antibiotic function.
Oral antibiotics are not a long-term standalone solution. They work best as part of a broader plan that includes topical treatments or clinic procedures such as Fotona Acne Laser or Pico Majesty Laser. The duration of use is carefully managed by your doctor to ensure effectiveness and to minimise the risk of antibiotic resistance. These medications should never be taken long-term without proper medical supervision.
Tranexamic Acid is a well-researched oral medication that was originally developed for medical use but was later found to have a significant and documented effect on reducing melasma and stubborn pigmentation. It is now widely used in aesthetic medicine across Asia, particularly for patients whose pigmentation has not responded well to creams or laser treatments alone.
Melasma and hyperpigmentation happen when skin cells that are responsible for producing colour, become overactive and produce too much pigment in specific areas. This is often triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes, or inflammation.
Tranexamic Acid works by interrupting the chain of signals that tells these pigment-producing cells to become overactive. By blocking a specific step in this process, it reduces how much pigment is produced overall, leading to a gradual lightening of melasma and dark spots across the skin. Because it is taken orally, it works systemically, meaning it reaches pigment-producing cells throughout the entire skin depth rather than just on the surface where a cream can reach.
It is most commonly recommended for patients with moderate to severe melasma, especially the deeper, hormone-driven type that tends to be more resistant to topical treatments and laser alone. It is frequently prescribed alongside laser treatments like Pico Majesty or Sylfirm X for a more comprehensive approach to pigmentation management.
Tranexamic Acid is a prescription medication and requires a proper medical assessment before use. Your doctor at Euphie will determine whether it is suitable for you, set the appropriate dosage, and monitor your progress and safety throughout the treatment course.
Minoxidil and Finasteride are two of the most established and widely studied medical treatments used for male and female pattern hair loss. They are commonly prescribed together because they work through different mechanisms and complement each other in slowing hair thinning and improving hair density over time.
Minoxidil is available as a topical solution, foam, or oral medication, while Finasteride is an oral prescription medication primarily used for androgenetic hair loss in men.
Pattern hair loss occurs when hair follicles gradually become smaller and weaker over time under the influence of genetics and hormones, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As the follicles shrink, hairs become thinner, shorter, and eventually stop growing altogether.
Minoxidil works by improving blood flow and prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle. This helps stimulate weakened follicles, allowing them to produce thicker and healthier hair strands over time.
Finasteride works differently by reducing the conversion of testosterone into DHT, the hormone largely responsible for follicle miniaturisation in androgenetic hair loss. By lowering DHT levels, Finasteride helps slow ongoing hair loss and protects existing follicles from further shrinking.
These treatments are most commonly recommended for patients with androgenetic alopecia, also known as male or female pattern hair loss. They tend to work best in patients who still have active hair follicles and are experiencing gradual thinning rather than complete baldness.
They are frequently combined with supportive treatments such as Fotona Hair Restore Laser, PRP, exosome therapy, microneedling, or hair restoration procedures for a more comprehensive hair preservation approach.
Both Minoxidil and Finasteride require consistent long-term use to maintain results. Hair improvement is gradual and typically becomes noticeable after several months of regular treatment.
Minoxidil may cause temporary shedding during the initial phase of treatment as weaker hairs are replaced by new growing hairs. This is usually temporary and part of the normal hair cycling process.
Finasteride is a prescription medication and requires proper medical assessment before use. Your doctor will determine whether it is suitable for you, discuss potential side effects and contraindications, and monitor your progress throughout treatment.
Effective skin treatment is rarely one-dimensional. For patients dealing with moderate to severe acne or persistent pigmentation, managing the internal factors driving the concern can make a meaningful difference to overall results, complementing what clinic procedures and topical treatments achieve on the outside.
All oral medications prescribed at Euphie are:
No. All oral medications at Euphie are prescription-only. A doctor’s assessment is required before any medication can be prescribed. This ensures the medication is appropriate for your specific skin condition and medical history, and that your progress and safety are properly monitored throughout the treatment.
This is determined entirely by your doctor based on how your skin responds and the severity of your acne. Antibiotic courses are always time-limited and carefully managed to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. Your doctor will advise on the appropriate duration during your consultation and at follow-up visits.
It has a well-established safety profile at the doses used for pigmentation treatment. However it is not suitable for everyone, and ongoing medical supervision is important. Your doctor will assess your suitability and advise on the appropriate duration and monitoring schedule. Patients with a history of blood clotting conditions or who are on certain medications such as hormonal pills may not be suitable candidates.
Oral medications work best as part of a combined approach. For acne, they are most effective alongside topical treatments and clinic procedures. For melasma and pigmentation, Tranexamic Acid works best combined with consistent sunscreen use and, where appropriate, laser and Sylfirm X treatments. Your doctor at Euphie will design a comprehensive plan that addresses your concern from multiple angles for the best possible outcome.
Yes, but the sexual side effects of Finasteride are generally low, occurring in about 1–2% of users due to the relatively low dose used for hair loss. However, placebo groups in clinical studies also report similar effects in around 0.5–1% of participants. This suggests that a portion of reported side effects may be influenced by psychological factors (often called the nocebo effect), though not all cases are explained by this.
