Can Pills Remove Cysts? A Look at Pharmacological Treatments

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Simple ovarian cysts are common, with studies showing they are seen in 14% of postmenopausal women during initial ultrasound screening [1.7.2]. But when it comes to treatment, the question remains for many types of cysts: can pills remove cysts, or are other interventions required?

Quick Summary

While pills generally cannot directly remove most cysts, they play a key role. Medications can manage symptoms, treat underlying infections, reduce inflammation, and in some cases, prevent the formation of new cysts.

Key Points

Medication Role: Pills generally do not 'remove' existing cyst sacs but are used to manage symptoms, treat infections, or prevent new cysts [1.4.1, 1.5.1].
Antibiotics for Infection: Oral antibiotics are prescribed to treat infected cysts, such as pilonidal or abscessed epidermoid cysts, but they don't remove the cyst itself [1.3.1, 1.10.1].
Hormonal Control: Birth control pills can be used to prevent the formation of new functional ovarian cysts but do not shrink existing ones [1.2.3, 1.4.5].
Acne Cyst Exception: Severe acne cysts can be effectively treated and resolved with powerful oral medications like isotretinoin, which reduces oil production [1.6.5].
Definitive Treatment: For many common skin cysts (epidermoid, ganglion), complete surgical removal of the cyst sac is the only way to prevent recurrence [1.3.2, 1.8.1].
Symptom Management: Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling associated with many types of cysts [1.3.3].
Consult a Doctor: Self-treatment is not recommended; a professional diagnosis is necessary to determine the correct approach, whether it's medication, drainage, or surgery [1.3.2].

Understanding Cysts: Not All Are Created Equal

A cyst is an abnormal, sac-like structure that can form in almost any part of the body, including the skin, ovaries, and internal organs [1.10.1]. These sacs are typically filled with fluid, pus, or other semisolid material [1.10.1]. While most are benign (noncancerous), they can sometimes cause pain, become infected, or be cosmetically concerning [1.11.3]. Treatment depends heavily on the cyst's type, location, and whether it's causing symptoms.

Common Types of Cysts

Epidermoid (Sebaceous) Cysts: These are small bumps that develop beneath the skin, often on the face, neck, or torso. They arise from trapped surface skin cells and are filled with a thick, cheese-like substance called keratin [1.11.2].
Ovarian Cysts: These are fluid-filled sacs that develop on or in an ovary. Functional cysts are the most common type and are related to the menstrual cycle; they often resolve on their own [1.2.4].
Ganglion Cysts: These are noncancerous lumps that most commonly develop along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands [1.9.4]. They are filled with a clear, gelatin-like fluid [1.9.1].
Pilonidal Cysts: Occurring in the crease of the buttocks, these cysts are caused by ingrown hairs that burrow under the skin, forming an abnormal pocket filled with hair and skin debris [1.10.1].
Acne Cysts (Nodulocystic Acne): This is a severe form of acne where pores become blocked, leading to infection and inflammation deep below the skin. These can be painful and lead to scarring [1.6.5].

The Role of Oral Medications in Cyst Treatment

The direct answer to "can pills remove cysts?" is generally no, but they are a crucial part of management for many types. Oral medications are primarily used to treat underlying causes, manage infections, reduce inflammation, or prevent new cysts from forming, rather than dissolving the existing cyst sac [1.3.2, 1.4.1].

Hormonal Medications

For certain types of cysts, particularly functional ovarian cysts, hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills) may be prescribed. These pills work by preventing ovulation. While they will not shrink an existing cyst, they are effective at reducing the risk of new functional cysts forming [1.2.3, 1.4.5].

Antibiotics

When a cyst becomes infected and forms an abscess, oral antibiotics are a primary line of treatment [1.3.1]. This is common with pilonidal cysts and inflamed epidermoid cysts [1.10.1, 1.11.3]. Antibiotics like doxycycline, clindamycin, or cephalexin are used to clear the bacterial infection, reduce swelling, and alleviate pain [1.5.3, 1.10.2]. However, the antibiotic treats the infection, not the cyst wall itself. The cyst may persist and can become infected again unless the sac is surgically removed [1.3.2].

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can be recommended to help manage symptoms of pain and swelling associated with various types of cysts [1.3.3]. For ganglion cysts, anti-inflammatory medication may help minimize discomfort [1.9.4].

Specialized Medications for Acne Cysts

For severe nodulocystic acne, a powerful oral medication called isotretinoin (formerly known as Accutane) is highly effective. It is a retinoid derived from vitamin A that works by drastically reducing the skin's oil production, shrinking oil glands, and preventing clogged pores [1.6.4, 1.6.5]. In this specific case, oral medication can lead to the long-term resolution of acne cysts [1.6.3]. Other options for hormonal acne in women include spironolactone, which blocks certain hormones from affecting the skin [1.6.3].

Comparison of Cyst Treatment Approaches

While medication plays a supporting role, other procedures are often necessary for definitive treatment. The best approach depends on the cyst type, size, and symptoms.


Treatment Approach	Best For	Mechanism of Action	Recurrence Risk	Invasiveness
Oral Medication	Infected Cysts, Ovarian Cysts, Acne Cysts	Treats infection, prevents new formations, reduces oil production [1.5.1, 1.4.5, 1.6.5].	High (if cyst sac remains)	Low
Aspiration/Drainage	Ganglion Cysts, Symptomatic Baker's Cysts, Infected Cysts	A needle is used to withdraw the fluid contents of the cyst, relieving pressure and pain [1.8.1, 1.9.2].	High, as the sac is not removed [1.8.3].	Minimally Invasive
Steroid Injections	Inflamed Epidermoid Cysts, Some Acne Cysts	Cortisone is injected directly into the cyst to reduce inflammation and swelling, causing it to shrink [1.3.1, 1.3.4].	Moderate to High	Minimally Invasive
Surgical Excision	Epidermoid, Pilonidal, Ganglion Cysts	The entire cyst, including the sac wall, is surgically cut out and removed [1.3.2, 1.8.1].	Low, as this removes the source [1.8.3].	High

Conclusion: A Partnered Approach to Cyst Management

While the idea of a pill simply dissolving a cyst is appealing, it's not the reality for most types. Oral medications are not a magic bullet but an essential tool in a broader treatment strategy. They are highly effective at fighting infections in pilonidal or sebaceous cysts, preventing the recurrence of ovarian cysts, and providing a powerful solution for severe acne cysts [1.5.1, 1.4.1, 1.6.5]. However, for a permanent solution to cysts with a defined sac, such as epidermoid or ganglion cysts, physical removal through drainage or surgery is typically required to prevent them from recurring [1.8.1]. Effective management always begins with a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional who can recommend the right combination of treatments for your specific situation.

For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of various cysts, you can visit the Mayo Clinic's page on Epidermoid Cysts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Antibiotics can treat the infection within a cyst, which reduces redness, swelling, and pain. However, they do not remove the cyst sac itself, so the cyst may return later [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

No, birth control pills will not shrink or remove an existing ovarian cyst. They work by preventing ovulation, which can help stop new functional cysts from forming [1.2.3, 1.4.1].

There is no pill that can remove a ganglion cyst. Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medication for pain, but resolving the cyst often requires aspiration (drainage) or surgical removal [1.9.1, 1.9.3].

For severe, persistent cystic acne, isotretinoin is a highly effective oral medication that can lead to long-term clearance. For hormonal acne in women, spironolactone is another common option [1.6.3, 1.6.5].

In very mild cases, antibiotics may be used to manage inflammation. However, for an infected pilonidal cyst, the standard treatment is incision and drainage, often followed by a course of antibiotics to clear the infection [1.10.1, 1.10.3].

An epidermoid cyst is a sac made of skin cells filled with keratin. Pills cannot break down this physical structure. To prevent the cyst from refilling, the entire sac must be physically removed through surgery [1.3.2, 1.11.2].

While antibiotics may control the infection, the pus and debris remain trapped inside the cyst. Without drainage, the pressure and pain may persist, and the infection is more likely to recur once the antibiotics are stopped [1.10.3, 1.11.3].