Frequently Asked Questions – Tetracyclines

Disclaimer: The information below is provided as a courtesy to address general questions. As we are not medical professionals, we cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of this information. By reading this information, you agree not to hold us liable for any damages that may result in your use of this information. This information should not replace information that your Doctor or Plastic Surgeon provides you. Please keep in mind that this is for general information only and results will vary for each individual. Always take your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

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Tetracyclines are common antibiotics prescribed to help kill acne-causing bacteria in a patient’s body. There are three different kinds of tetracycline in terms of acne: Minocycline, Doxycycline, and Tetracycline. Side effects and other information regarding the three tetracyclines are generally the same; for this reason, grouping all three into one convenient FAQ is appropriate.

For the purposes of this FAQ, assume that Minocycline is the less potent of the three, Doxycyline is next in line, and Tetracycline is the most potent. So, in terms of strength:

Tetracyclines:
Minocycline -> Doxycyline -> Tetracycline

Also, note that the stronger the tetracycline, the greater the type, severity, and risk of side effects.

In this FAQ, lowercase “tetracycline(s)� refers to any of the above three drugs. Capital “Tetracycline� refers to the specific drug at the end of the above spectrum.

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What else are tetracyclines prescribed as?
- Minocycline is often sold as Minocin, Dynacin, Ventrin , Minocin Oral, and generic Minocycline.
- Doxycycline is often sold as Doryx, Doxy Caps, Doxychel Hyclate, Monodox, Periostat, Vibra-Tabs, and Vibramycin
- Tetracycline is often sold as Achromycin V, Panmycin, Robitet Robicaps, Sumycin, Tetracap, and Topicycline
- There is generally no difference each drug brand, except, as some may argue, for “filler ingredients� which affect how the tetracycline is absorbed. Your doctor will prescribe what he or she feels is the most effective brand of the drug.

How do tetracyclines work?
- Tetracyclines are antibiotics absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive system. They have two acne fighting components. They kill acne-causing bacteria, but they also contain anti-inflammatory agents. This means that tetracyclines CAN help acne, even if they fail to kill the underlying bacteria. In fact, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says that Minocycline “is safer than ibuprofen,� which is also an anti-inflammatory.

What is the normal dosage for the drug?
- Depending on your age, weight, the severity of your acne problem, and the professional advice of your doctor, tetracyclines may be prescribed to be taken once a day to up to four times a day in dosages ranging from 50mg to 500mg each.
- Generally, the dosage depends on the strength of the drug. Some doctors increase the dosage as their patients progress through the standard Minocycline > Doxycyline > Tetracycline drug process.

How should I take a tetracycline?
- Tetracyclines come in capsules/tablets (and occasionally syrups) and are to be taken orally. Unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you otherwise, take tetracyclines on an empty stomach. However, if this results in an upset stomach, ask your doctor if it is ok to take it with milk or with food.
- Always take them with a full glass of water.
- Do not lie down until thirty minutes to an hour has elapsed after taking a tetracycline, as doing so may prevent proper absorption.

What else will my doctor prescribe while on a tetracycline?
- It is commonplace for a doctor or dermatologist to also prescribe a topical cream or gel to combat existing acne on the surface, thus maximizing results. Your doctor may also put you on a vitamin supplement that will promote proper skin complexion and overall skin health without conflicting with the tetracycline.
- Your doctor may also take a culture sample of the liquid, or pus, with in a pimple to make sure that your acne is not caused by a parasite-like microorganism within your body

Can tetracyclines come into conflict with other medications if taken at the same time?
- Yes. Tetracyclines may decrease the effectiveness of another antibiotic if taken simultaneously. Inform your doctor if you are currently doing so. This drug may also complicate the effectiveness of some antacids, anticoagulants, penicillin, and oral contraceptives.
- It is also suggested that patients avoid taking tetracyclines within one to three hours of taking antacids, calcium supplements, and laxatives containing magnesium. This is because these drugs may prevent the proper absorption of tetracyclines from the digestive system into the blood stream.

What can I expect within the first few weeks of taking a tetracycline?
- Within the first few weeks, your body may experience a breakout. This is normal and to be expected; it is your body’s way of getting used to the tetracycline. Think of it as the tetracycline “pushing� all the dormant acne to the surface – if the particular drug is right for you, clear skin may follow.
- When starting out, headache or dizziness may occur, but these should subside once your body gets used to the antibiotic.

So how long before I start seeing results?
- It depends on the severity of your acne, however, most patients see improvement in about four to six weeks after starting a tetracycline regimen. For some, it may be longer, or never happen at all, in which case you should contact your doctor.

What are the symptoms of a tetracycline overdose? What should I do incase of such an overdose?
- Overdosing on a tetracycline can result in complications, including but not limited to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even the overall ineffectiveness of the medication in the long term.
- For these reasons, the importance of taking the antibiotic exactly as prescribed is paramount.
- If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate medical attention from your doctor, a hospital, or your poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Remember that an overdose may not necessarily yield the aforementioned side effects, but could still be hazardous to your health.

Is it ok to take tetracyclines at different times of the day?
- A tetracycline work best when a consistent amount of the drug is in your body. For this reason, take your drug at regular intervals, as suggested below:

- If prescribed once a day: take once every 24 hours.
- If prescribed twice a day: take once every 12 hours.
- If prescribed three times a day: take once every 8 hours.
- If prescribed four times a day, take once every 6 hours.

And so on. Regardless of what you read online or elsewhere, always take your medicine as directed by your doctor.

Is it ok for my children to take tetracyclines?
- Unless your doctor believes otherwise, generally the answer is no. Tetracyclines may cause permanent yellow discoloration of the teeth and possibly even growth defects in patients eight years or younger.

What lifestyle changes should I make while taking tetracyclines?
- Tanning is not a good idea. The higher your dosage, the more susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays your skin becomes. Thus, you will burn easier and quicker. For this reason, you should always wear sun screen and protective clothing to avoid damaging your skin and actually making your acne worse.
- Limit alcoholic beverages as much as possible, as your liver and kidneys may be weakened by the medicine.
- Tell your dentist or surgeon if you are on a tetracycline before getting surgery, since your body is more sensitive to punctures and damage while on the medicine.
- Take caution when operating machinery, as tetracyclines can make you dizzy.
- Since tetracyclines weaken your immune system, it's probably a good idea to avoid smoking cigarettes and getting high as much as possible. Doing so won't make your skin worse, but it could make the post-antibiotic recovery process longer.

My skin is breaking out, and I have some leftover tetracycline. Even though it is expired, can I still take it to suppress my current breakout?
- No. Taking expired tetracyclines can result in a severe kidney condition, so promptly discard it.

I’m afraid I might be allergic to tetracyclines. What side effects should I watch for?
- About 1% of the population is allergic to tetracyclines. If you suspect you may be among this percentage, discontinue taking the antibiotic until you can consult with your doctor.
- Those allergic to tetracyclines may experience a breakout in hives two or three weeks after beginning the treatment. Other side effects related to an allergic reaction may include a sick feeling, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, difficulty breathing, rash, skin lesions/sores, itching, severe dizziness, new or worsening swelling/pain in the joints, chest pain, and a fast/irregular heartbeat.

Is getting pregnant ok while on a tetracycline?
- Absolutely not. Tetracyclines can harm a fetus in the womb or possibly a breastfed baby, resulting in improper bone and tooth development. If you become pregnant, immediately stop taking the tetracycline and consult your doctor.
- Also, tetracyclines may reduce the effectiveness of certain forms of birth control, such as the pill or patch. For this reason, always use a second form of birth control.

What are some other possible side effects of tetracyclines?
- As with any drug, there are often a wide variety of possible side effects. Some that are not necessarily cause for deep concern include: itching of the rectum or vagina, diarrhea, furry darkening or black discoloration of the tongue, vision changes. discolored eyes, genital sores or itches, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, vaginal yeast infection, confusion, and dizziness.
- If any of these become intolerable, consult your doctor.
-Additionally, your doctor should be informed if you have any of the following side effects: skin rash, unusual bleeding or bruising, pain or discomfort in the mouth, throat sores, fever, chills, nail discoloration, muscle pain, difficult or painful swallowing, change in amount or color (typically a dark color) of urine, brown/gray tooth discoloration, numbness/tingling of the hands/feet, unusual fatigue, persistent or severe headache, vision changes, easy bruising/bleeding, severe stomach/abdominal pain, and yellowing eyes/skin.
- Some of these side effects may be caused by an allergy to sulfites, so it might be a good idea to tell your doctor if you are, in fact, allergic to them.
- Tetracyclines may also cause a rare, but severe intestinal condition known as pseudomembranous colitis. This may even occur weeks after stopping the tetracycline regimen. Persistent diarrhea and/or abdominal or stomach pain/cramping may be signs of this condition, so contacting your doctor immediately if you experience either is imperative.

Are there any permanent side effects associated with tetracyclines?
-Yes. 1 in every 10,000 Minocycline users will develop hypersensitivity-lupus, characterized by severe joint pains. This form of lupus is unique to Minocycline users, and may appear up to three years AFTER the last dose of Minocycline is taken.
- 1 in every 10,000 tetracycline users may also experience psychological problems, or even “pseudotumor cerebri,� which is an accumulation of fluid around the brain, causing progressively worsening headaches and vision problems.
- While the odds that the average tetracycline user will get these side effects are low, it should be noted that they DO exist, and that these risks should be assessed by you and your doctor.

What are the risks of being on a tetracycline for over a year or more?
- An accumulation of tetracyclines in the body may cause one’s skin to develop a purplish tint. They look like bruises, and can take up to a year to fade away. Routine doctor visits and Vitamin C 500mg twice daily can reduce this risk.
- The longer you are on an antibiotic, the less effective it becomes. This is because the acne-causing bacteria becomes immune to the antibiotic by mutating into “super bacteria,� making your acne worse and possibly untreatable. Further, if you get another kind of infection while on a tetracycline (for example, pneumonia), antibiotics may not be an effective treatment option. This is a serious cause for concern. Antibiotics can also cause Candida, a condition where white patches form on one’s tongue. This is because the acne antibiotic also kills beneficial bacteria found on the tongue that fights off a naturally-occurring yeast infection. Other side effects still exist, but tetracycline users should always work with their doctors to find alternatives to antibiotic use.

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"Doxycycline." RxList Monographs. 08 December 2004. RxList. 03 August 2005. <http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/doxycyc_ids.htm>.

"Minocycline." Dermatologic Disease Database. 2004. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. 06 July 2005. <http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_dise...ycline.html>.

"Minocycline." Drugs.com 2005 version. 14 February 2003. Micromedex Physicians Desk Reference. 06 July 2005. <http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginf...er/a682101.html>.

"Minocycline." RxList Monographs. 08 December 2004. RxList. 06 July 2005.
<http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/minocycline.htm>.

"Minocycline Oral." MedlinePlus Drug Information. 01 April 2003. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. 06 July 2005. <http://www.drugs.com/minocycline.html>.

"Questions and Answers for Consumers on Doxycycline." Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. 02 November 2001. FDA. 03 August 2005. <http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/penG_doxy/QA_doxy.htm>.

"Tetracycline." Drugs.com 2005 version. 01 April 2003. Micromedex Physicians Desk Reference. 03 August 2005.
<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginf...er/a682098.html>.

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I myself have taken Minocycline, Doxycycline, and Tetracycline for my skin at different times (I have since been off all medications). At one point I was taking 500mg Tetracycline twice a day – that’s an entire gram of antibiotics daily. I did this research to inform myself and others about what these drugs do, and what the risks are. I want to keep this guide accurate, up to date, and helpful, so if you have any questions, comments, or corrections, please message me and I will edit this post. Thank you and good luck.

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Change/Edit Log:
08-05-05: Added advice regarding smoking while on tetracyclines.
08-12-05: Added a question addressing how long it takes for a tetracycline regimen to yield results.

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hi im new in here. i decided to join here because i found it helpful for me.

i just got back from my dermatologist and he prescribed me Zithromax (Azithromycin).
3 times a week (250mg). i got here 12 capsules so that's good for a month.
honestly, i never heard of this drug before.

anyone on it before.
results?

The derm just prescribed this combo to me today... Has anyone tried these products and did you have any luck?

I've been taking minocycline 100mg for acne for a while now. About 5 months ago I noticed my hair falling out. It has gotten worse and worse and now my hairline has receded a lot also. I was never told about this side effect until I did some searching and nobody in my family is bald. I was wondering if anyone else experienced hairloss with minocycline and if it regrowed after you stopped taking them.

hey! this is my first post, but I have been reading posts and reviews on this site for months. i'm from LA and went to a high school where just about everyone was beautiful with beautiful skin. my friends included. i took birth control (yasmin) at 14 and it kept me pretty clear up until 9 months ago (i'm almost 20 now). i have hardly left the house in the last 2 months and have crying spells regarding my acne constantly. i went to my derm. a couple days ago and told her i wanted accutane.

she told me i had to wait 5 weeks until i could start accutane and gave me doryx in the meantime. i also have a perscription of mino. from a previous doctor, but i decided not to take it at that time. is it worth taking either one of these for a month? it's been 5 days since starting doryx and my acne is worse than i think i have ever seen it... even worse than when i was 14. i feel like the more i cry about acne the worse it gets. i just don't know what to do anymore. i refuse to leave the house and my friends are getting sick and tired of my "i'm too tired to go out" or "i don't feel well" excuses.

i really dont want to waste my entire summer hiding. should i just wait until accutane? or should i take mino or doryx first. please just tell me your experiences. i know there have been so many posts like this, but i needed to vent about my horrible acne filled life. :[

p.s. my face has gotten MUCH oilier since i started doryx in addition to the horrific breakouts. i know antibiotics makes birth control less effective. does that also mean it can unbalance the hormones that the birth control is trying to balance?

Hey all,

I was on minocycline with duac and retin-A around 5 years ago. It got me completely clear. However, I broke out severely a few months after going off meds. I didn't know about this website then so I didn't know that it was fairly common for acne to come back.

I'm going to see a derm soon. Should I try and get back on a similar treatment, or will that just result in another terrible breakout once I'm off of it? If that's the case, could Accutane be for me?

Thanks for your feedback!

I just got back from the dermatologist. He prescribed me with solodyn. Supposedly it's the first antiboitic to be approved by the FDA specifically for ance treatment. I dont' get excited about antibiotics but at least it's better than minocycline( which I've used ). Has anyone in here had any experience with it?

After you stop antibiotics, iv heard that the acne comes back worse. is this true?

Hey i was just wondering if anyone out there has tried doryx before, my sister starting taking it about a year ago and it completly cleared up her skin, i was thinking about trying ti but wondered if anyone else had similar results

I'm in sort of a weird situation right now. I was prescribed a 10 day cycle of doxycycline due to an infection in my face that caused my lip to swell up one morning. My skin was very very bad at the time of the prescription 6 days ago.

I was using Dan's regime at the time, and was just finishing up my second week. My skin was very red and inflamed, and it was pretty obvious something was wrong. Now just 6 days in I'm left with a few zits that are coming to the surface and clearing out, but my skin is no longer red and inflamed, and all I'm doing is taking the Doxy and washing it with dan's cleanser morning and night.

I'm wondering now though, did my skin clear up so fast once getting on Doxy because of the drug itself, or is it because I stopped using BP everyday? Or was I suffering from a more severe infection, and not just normal acne, and that is why I see such a dramatic result?

The doctor who prescribed me the 10 day cycle told me to tell my long term doctor (I had to go to an emergency clinic because this happened on a Saturday and my normal office was closed) if the doxy worked well on my skin so that I could get a longer term prescription.

I'm not a big fan of the thought of being on an antibiotic long term, but if it is the cause of this drastic clearing, then I think it would be worth a shot.

So my basic question for you guys is this:

Is it possible that my skin is clearing in just 6 days from Doxycycline? Has anyone else seen that sort of fast result?

I'm on 100mg 2x a day right now btw.

MOVED TO RIGHT SECTION.

I just started taking this about a 5 days ago and my face is breaking out a little bit. I am wondering if this is normal to happen and then it goes away? Also, now that I am reading some of the things on Solodyn I am getting nervous. I am 21 and taking Solodyn 90mg once a day, but I am considering calling my dermatologist to tell him I want to stop it. Should I wean off of it or what? Or just continue it for the month he prescribed?

Thanks for the help.

Ok, 4 months ago a dermatologist put me on differin .1% and keflex 500mg twice a day for my mild cysts and moderate acne. About 3 months in I was cleared up, but only in the areas that I applied the differin. I figured that it was just the differin that worked so I stopped taking the keflex.

Now about 3 or 4 weeks after going off the keflex, I'm breaking out again just as bad as before even with the differin. So it turns out it was the combination of the differin and the keflex that cleared me up. So 2 days ago I began taking the keflex twice a day again.

But here is my problem. In just under 2 weeks I will be going on vacation for 11 days. What I want to know is this. Will the keflex start working faster than than it took to work the first time? Because I've only been off it for 3 or 4 weeks and I've been using differin this whole time. I want to know if it will take another 3 months to start working again after going off of it for just under a month or if maybe it will kick in again in a week or so for my vaccation I can be clear of acne.

I would really appreciate some educated responses.

Thanks

I've tried all creams and doc wouldn't give me accutane, is it good he got me this? I take 1 pill of 100mg a day, what should I see, know before i take my first pill tonight? Ty.

[font="Century Gothic"][/font]Hello I am new here. I looked around the website and I really liked the way that it was helpful towards my acne. I have moderate/light acne and am currently using Zineryt. Please let me know any information.

So, I've had acne since I was about 16 years old...now being 26. My acne was much worse when I was younger but is now mild yet persistent nodular acne. Finally, last year I went to a derm to address my acne issues and they started with the typical regime. Doryx plus a retinoid.

That worked for a few months but eventually I started breaking out worse than ever. So, then it was Solodyn and retinoid plus benzaclin. Well, that was even worse!!! Then I think there was one more antibiotic plus ziana....still no improvement.

Finally, the miracle drug...Bactrim!!! After 10 years of acne suffering Bactrim cleared me completely up in a matter of weeks. The derm kept lowering my dose to eventually 1 pill every other day and I stayed completely clear. I had none of the horrible side effects I read about Bactrim and was feeling the best I have in years. The derm wouldn't let me keep taking it however.

The first few weeks after coming off bactrim, my face stayed clear. However, over the past few weeks my face has started to return to the persistent nodular acne state.

Well, I decided to go see the derm today about going back on bactrim. They wouldn't give it to me...said they don't want me becoming resistant to it. Instead, I get a prescription for f'in Solodyn the worst crap I've ever taken. I told them it didn't work the first time but they wrote the prescription anyway. Oh well...I don't think I'm even gonna have it filled.

I guess I have no other options left except accutane which they asked if I'd be willing to take. I'm suprised it was even offered as I didn't think my acne was bad enough for that.

Anyway, just wanted to rant as I was pretty upset with my experience. I finally found something that works for me and my doctor doesn't want to help me out...that's how I felt.

Can anyone tell me how long the initial breakout lasts? i started taking antibiotics last monday so its been a week, after about three days i started to breakout and it hasnt stopped yet.

when will things get better? thanks

I am a 20 yr old f. I havent really had a problem with acne until recently so I'm currently on Zovia BCP and am using 5% BP and top. Clindamycin gel 1% for approx. 2 1/2 weeks. I usually wash my face 3x a day with the BP because it seems to get really oily mid day. I also use the clindamycin in the morning and night (sometimes I reapply mid day if I wash my face). It seems to be helping and I just wanted to know how long I should continue to use it. I know that resistance could occur so I am worried that if I continue to use it that it would be as effective later on. I am also afraid to stop using it because I dont want to break out. My doctor hasnt really given me a specific time frame to use this so I was just wondering if I should stop using it after a month if my acne improves/clears. Any advice is helpful =) Thanks

I am a 28 yr old female dealing with adult acne. I have always had bad skin. In my early 20's I got on accutance (best decision ever) and it drastically improved my skin. However in recent months the ance has returned in full force.

I have currently been taking Doryx 150mg (once a day) for about 4 weeks. My face has shown no improvement and actually got worse this past week. To the point where I didn't want to leave my apartment this morning:-(

My Dem told me this was normal and that the Doryx is bringing everything to the surface. She said that it will continue this way and it will improve once all the gunk is out. She said that this is very normal and I should be patient. I should see improvement in the next few weeks. She has however double my dosage (150mg twice a day) to help expiate things. I am also in the process of taking the 15 blood tests necessary to get approved for accutane. I rather not go on accutane unless I have exhausted all other options.

My question is have others been on Doryx and what has been their experience? When did you start seeing a positive effect? did you break out before you saw improvements? How long did it take? Any insight or advice would be extremely appreciated. So please share:-)

Hello all. Considering the amount of information about antibiotics, both informational and misleading, I thought I would keep this miniature log of mygradual stop of the anti-biotic Doxycycline.

Some facts:

- I've been on it for 18 months.
- My dosage was 100mg twice a day. This seemed quite strong considering the other dosages I have read about for people half my size. (I'm 5'6 and around 114 lbs).
- I had moderate acne beforehand, but now have mild.
- I have been using Duac gel for 2 years now as a spot treatment in the mornings and Differin .1% for almost a year at night.
- I wash with Cetaphil daily facial wash (not the gentle version). I moisturize with a 50/50 mixture of Cetaphil moisturizing cream and 100% Aloe Vera gel.

My strategy to completely stop this antibiotic:

I have given myself one month. This means 14 days of lowering the dose to once a day (100mg insted of 200mg). Because I forgot to order probiotics I am eating a cup of yogurt every evening, to hopefully replenish my body with good bacteria.

After the first two weeks, I will be taking doxy every other night, and continuing the yogurt use. I have also started taking 1000mg of Vitamin C once a day, because my immune health isn't as great as it could be.

Anyways, I thought this mini-log would be handy for those of you considering going off your anti biotics. Honestly, if I knew now what I knew then, I wouldn't of went on them. I had no adverse side effects, but it's not a long term solution, and I realize that now.

Days 1-3

So far, so good. It's too early to tell if I am going to have a breakout or not. Let's see what happens from here!

My skin is much better, still the occasional pimple every week, but my doctor is going to re prescribe it... I'm very nervous, what has happened to you after stopping?

I am considering starting Clindamycin and I was wondering if treatment begins with an initial breakout? Thank you.

Just saw the Dermatologist yesterday and he prescribed Lymecycline as my spots are very resistant to Doxy, I have on them for nearly two years. He said it is similar to Doxy but more effective against resistant spots. I also want to know, I will not get my new prescribtions for another few more days and I forgot to ask him whether I should continue wth the doxy until I get them or discontinue Doxy and wait for the new antibiotics. Pl what do you normally do when one antibiotics are discontinued and new ones prescribed? Thanks

I'm on 500 mg of tetra a day, I was wondering how long does this high of a dose take to start working? I'm on tetra until I can get Accutane, so hoepfully this will kick in in a few more weeks.

Hey there

I had a question I was hoping someone might be able to answer for me. I just got over a rough patch with my skin after breaking out for a good 8 months in cysts due to a BC pill. Finally done with those since I switched pills, luckily, but I was still getting some other mild-moderate acne, so my doctor prescribed me 2% Erythromycin pads to use topically.

About 5 years ago or so I was taking Tetracycline orally for about a year to clear up my acne. It worked at the time, but one day I went to have my eyebrows waxed and no one had warned me that it would make my skin ultra sensitive, to the point where the waxing ripped off a layer of my skin and I had scabs over my eyes for a good 2 weeks.

So my question is, is using this other antibiotic topically going to have the same sort of effect on my skin, and should I not considering waxing? Any idea how long it takes for your skin to go back to "normal" if it does? I hate tweezing my eyebrows so much, lol.

Thanks for any help!

Hey guys!

So, I'm 17, and I've been suffering from acne for about 3-4 years. It seems to have its phases, where it'd be better at point x, but worsen at point y. My mom just got thie antibiotic Erythrocin, and I'm rather torn about whether to use it or not. I would say I have moderate acne (pic included) but as I said, it seems to be getting a lil bit cystic sometimes. Other times it clears considerably.

Basically, I dunno if I should start the antibiotic. I fear that if I do start taking it, there might be those side effects, along with the return of the pestilence after I stop taking it... but not just the return, but a worse return. I wondered if any of you used this before, and what your opinions on it are?

I've NEVER taken antibiotics before.. not in any form. Would this make problems worse? Let me know what ya'll think.

Hi all -

I'm new here, and I was just hoping I could get some advice from those who have some personal experience

here is my main question: Has anyone had experience switching from doxycycline (or any antibiotic) to Spironolactone? I am on 150mg of doxy, doesn't seem to be doing much. So derm prescribed 50mg (bumping up to 100mg after a week of going okay) of spirono today. she said to just stop the doxy and start immediately. Has anyone tried that? i'm a bit worried about a flare from going cold-turkey on the antibiotics (but i guess if they're not doing their job anyway...)

More details, if you care to know:

1. moderate acne for about 6 years (starting around age 13-14, now i'm 20)
2. last year, finally went to a derm to get this straightened out
3. been on a variety of things - clindamycin mixed with benzoyl peroxide (basically, duac - i just mix them myself cause it's cheaper), and a couple different vitamin-a topicals (retin-a, epiduo, and tazorac). at the same time, i was prescribed yaz by my gyn, as i get chronic ovarian cysts (i may have PCOS? mildly?). Also, after a couple months, went on 100mg of minocycline, then switched to doxycycline. All that combined (plus occasional tanning - i know, sinner!) = clear skin

EXCEPT
about two-three months ago, i switched insurance, yaz wasn't covered, and so i switched to necon 1/35. at the same time, we started to phase me off of the doxycycline, so down to 40mg. small flare of acne, so while my body adjusted to new bcp, i switched back to higher dose of doxy (they actually put me on 150mg cause it was the only samples they had). i went to italy at the end of april/beginning of may, wasn't quite so consistent while there of taking anti, plus travelling seems to mess things up (sweat while travelling with heavy bags, etc.).

however, while there, things started to flare just a bit - small pimples, not red, just that stuff that makes your skin a weird texture (even though you can barely see it). since i came back though, it seems that things have been going CRAZY. especially inflammatory acne on my chest - a place i don't break out a ton. my back broke out a bit (where i normally break out on my body), but now is mostly clear.

went to derm a month ago, continued 150mg of doxy, plus switching me back to yasmin (same progesterone as yaz, so similiar in acne-efficacy). said to check back in six weeks. it's been four weeks now, though, and things are going BAD - getting red, leathery skin, in addition to acne staying the same. i went back this morning, mainly because of the leathery skin, and she said maybe we should just try the spirno instead, and drop the antibiotic entirely.

other options she suggested we could consider (just for informations sake):
-accutane (already have really dry skin, nervous about how intense it is)
-trying another antibiotic

that's pretty much my story, in case that helps you give advice . here is my general routine., as of today (since stopped anti):

morning:
-aha or lotion mixed with jojoba oil.
-if skin is not too dry, occasionally the regimen (bp, sometimes i add my clindamycin) or a retin-a product
-100mg zinc
-2000mg fish oil
-yasmin pill
-50 mg (soon to be 100mg) spirno

night:
-regimen, often mixed with clindamycin
-follow with lotion mixed with jojoba oil

has anyone experienced aching in their joints especially hips and shoulders while taking minocycline?

i'm starting doxycycline again after having pill esophagitis (caused by the doxy) and my pharmacist recommended I also start taking prilosec again every day. To be safe I figure i'll take it about an hour or two before taking the doxy. I'm not sure if I should take the prilosec at night as well. Anyone doing this? Thanks!