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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I have been using this for over a week now. First couple of days were really bad. Stomach ache alll the time. Heartburn. Although I don't know whether the heartburn was related. It seems to have settled down now though. I'm taking 250mg twice a day.

Can't notice an improvement as of yet. But this is more appealing to me cos I can take it with food. I was on Oxytetracycline prior to this and it did nothing for me. My doctor pretty much said we'd have to go through all the antibiotics before he would even consider referring me to a dermatologist. Is this usual?

Please share your experience with this.

Hi

I've been on Tetralysal 300 for a few months and my dosage has recently been updated to two tablets a day.
I'm just wondering when would be the best times to take them?
Both together or at different times during the day?

Thanks for any advice!

So I got a prescription for this today. The doc told me to apply it morning and evening. In the morning, is it ok to apply it, and then wash it off after an hour or so? How long does it take for it to penetrate and do its work before it can be washed off? I don't want to put my makeup over this stuff as its going to be very drying.

I've recently starting taking these antibiotics, 3 weeks in so far and some improvement. No side effects. I'm taking one or two tablets a day (each tablet is 408mg) before I go to bed.

I thought it'd be interesting to share a discussion with other people taking it.

What dose are you on?
How long have you been on the course?
Any side effects?

On monday I woke up with a mild sore throat and didn't think too much about it. I was seeing the doctor monday evening to change my acne medication to minocycline. I took my first minocycline MR 100mg capsule on monday evening.

Ever since then I have woke up feeling run down with a sore throat. It gets slightly better during the day but feels like I have mild flu. Could a side-effect like this develop quickly with the medication, or do I have a flu or cold? As I had a mild sore throat before taking the medication.

I've been taking doxy 100mg for nearly a year, along with zinc and niacin supplement, but as I figured out that they really messed up my stomach and some other internal problems, I was off from them 2 weeks ago.

But I found out lately that my hair is significantly losing, like more than 10 on my pillow when I wake up, and they keep shedding when I wash my hair, I wonder if it's the long term doxy cause the hair loss problem, do anyone share the same situation with me? I really wanna know what is happening. Thanks!

Hey guys

About 5/6 months ago I was on doxycycline

I noticed after a while it gave me a horrible yellow mark on the back of my tongue.

Now i have bad breath and every morning there is loads of yellow bacteria at the back of my tongue :S ?

I know it's the anti-biotics that did this as i had no problem before. But i was like, clear skin? I can put up with bad breath.

But now I'm off the tablets and i still have the yellow tongue and bad breath!

Please help me?

I dunno if this has been posted before ( sorry in advance if it has) but has anyone taken Ethromycin Delayed Tablets 333mg? Is there a difference between the regular ones or do they both have the same effect? Please let me know.

Hey guys and girls,

I am new here and love this site so far. I was wondering if anyone has tried any of the above medicines that my dermatologist prescribed me and if they worked for you, also any tips on using them would be great. A little more about them...
Clindamycin- 2 times a day and it is in a bottle that i rub along my face and it releases a liquid through the top
Ziana- once a day at night. pea size drop rubbed over problem areas
Tetracycline- pills, 2 times a day. Must drink a glass of water with it.

Based off of this any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

nvm

what are the strongest antibiotics for acne?

is it safe to take start taking zinc while ive been on solodyn 115 mg for a month

Hello everyone!
This is my first post on here.

I just got back from yet another dermatologist appointment. I was really hoping for an Accutane prescription.
I am a 19 year old female. I have moderate cystic acne, mostly on the lower half of my face. They leave scars. I've had this for about 4 years now. I have tried (what seems like) every pill, cream, and gel that they make, and nothing seems to clear it up.

My dermatologist gave me prescriptions for Minocycline (100 mg once at night), Tazorac cream to use at night, pacnex wash, and clinda gel to use in the morning.

I have been reading some posts on here about the side effects of Minocycline and it has made me kind of wary to go and get this prescription filled. I am thinking about going to see another dermatologist.

Can anyone tell me what I should expect when taking this medication? Will it have any of the same side effects as Accutane?

I am just very frustrated with this whole situation.

Thanks for your help!

I see a lot of people wanting to try out Minocycline, and of course, your dermatologist will tell you the typical side-effects - dizziness, sensitive to sunlight, etc.
But what really is unfortunate is that they don't typically warn you about the serious side effects, which, unfortunately for myself, I am currently experiencing.

In case you're wondering, I have moderate acne and have been on Minocycline in combination with Spironolactone for about a year. I also had some creams, but I only used them for spots and they're not important to my overall story anyway.

Symptoms and Time Frame

About 2 months ago, maybe a little more, I began to experience severe headaches. They weren't constant, but it felt like I was getting them every day - right before I went to bed and right when I woke up. I thought maybe it was stress with it being finals week and I was just grinding my teeth at night. I shrugged it off for the time being. They went away, but started coming back a few weeks later. My mom thought it had to do with my teeth as well, so she bought me a mouth guard to wear at night. Unfortunately, it didn't help. The headaches eventually became constant.

About a month ago now, I started getting back pain. I thought maybe it was because I was sleeping over at a bunch of different houses so I was just uncomfortable with the bed situation, so again I ignored it. When I slept at my house, I still had the back pain and I was confused as to why it was still happening. My mom and I went out and bought a new pillow and mattress pad (my bed was hard as a rock anyhow), but as you can guess, the pain was still there.

At the same time, I had this weird ringing noise in my right ear. Not exactly ringing, I suppose, but I could definitely hear my heartbeat constantly in my ear. It made sleeping very difficult because all I could hear was this noise. It was awful.

I hadn't visited the doctor by this point in time. I thought all the symptoms were separate and didn't think much of anything.

Finally, I began to have vision problems not 3 weeks ago. I kept blacking out for anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds at a time whenever I stood up. Sometimes it would cover my entire vision to the point of not being able to see to just the outer edges. It was kind of like when you stand up too fast and you get that light-headed feeling, sometimes coupled with vision impairment? Yeah, like that.

I also felt disoriented at times and was having trouble thinking and spelling. I couldn't even spell "writing" and I'm 19 years old.

Doctors' Appointments & Diagnosis

The vision problems were the last straw, so I called up my family doctor. He saw me right away on Wednesday two weeks ago, although he couldn't conclude much. The only thing he noted along with my symptoms above was that my optic nerves were swollen. He recommended me to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Nothing much different to say at the ophthalmologist I saw on Friday two weeks ago. He dilated my pupils and also recognized the optic nerve swelling. He told me to make a follow-up appointment in the coming weeks and I went home.

I got a call from my family doctor that night at home. He had been speaking with a neurologist about my symptoms and medications (obviously Minocycline was included in that list), and although it's hard to diagnose, they both decided that I had the following:

Idiomatic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)/Pseudo Tumor Cerebri (PTC)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_intracranial_hypertension

What this is in a nutshell is a neurological disorder in which a patient experiences similar symptoms a person with a brain tumor would feel (hence "pseudo tumor"). All of my symptoms from above are what characterizes this disorder, along with nausea (although I never experienced this). It basically involves increased pressure in the brain from an increased produced of spinal fluids.

Papilledema
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilledema

This is one of the most obvious physical symptoms of IIH/PTC. It entails swelling of the optic disc caused by increased brain pressure. So they go hand in hand.

Mind you, these are both very rare, which is why the doctors had a hard time deciding if I should be diagnosed or not. But all signs pointed directly to this. I took it upon myself earlier that week to research my symptoms and a lot of the articles I read pointed to IIH. It typically occurs in obese people (which I am not), but the articles all said that studies have found a link between Minocycline and IIH. It's very rare that this happens, but it does all the same, which is why I wanted you guys to know about this. It's frightening knowing that a simple pill used to treat acne could lead to this. I'm not doing this to gain sympathy or anything. I thought I would go blind. I was truly scared for my life and I don't want anyone else to feel so lost or confused as I was.

If you want to know the personal hell I experienced because of this drug, please read on.

Treatments

MRI
After this phone call, I had an emergency MRI scheduled that Saturday night. This obviously involves no pain and I just had to sit in a small, enclosed space for an hour listening to sounds similar to a school fire alarm. Exciting, I know. But this was to confirm that I did not have a brain tumor and would be safe for me to have the next leg of my treatment...

Lumbar Puncture/Spinal Tap
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumbar_puncture
I had this last Monday and it is something I NEVER wish to experience in my life.
I won't go into details in case some people are squeamish/afraid of needles. Let's just say I was crying my eyes out during the entire procedure because I was frightened and the initial pain was terrible.
This was suppose to take out excess spinal fluid in my spine. This, in combination with another medication I was taking - Diamox - I should have begun to feel better in a few days time.

Blood Patch
You can look this up on google for the same reason as the spinal tap.
But I guess the spinal tap didn't heal properly and I had a CSI (spinal fluid) leak internally causing the same severe headaches I had prior, as well as nausea.
I had this this morning and like the spinal tap, I never want this again either. Maybe I'm just a wuss. But I feel loads better aside from a little back pain.
...


All in all, was all this worth nice skin? NO WAY. I'm sorry for the terribly long post, but there was a lot to say. I've been stuck in my house for 3 weeks trying to recoup all because of Minocycline's side effects and I still cannot believe all this was caused by that little pill. I want everyone to know that there are always risks in taking these sort of medications and you need to look out for yourselves and be careful.

Feel free to ask questions if you have any, by the way.

I got some minocycline tablets from my doctor today after becoming partly resistant to lymecycline. I just wondered if I would be resistant to the minocycline ones as well, as they are both tetracyclines? Do they both work in the same way?

I'll keep this short and to the point..

Two weeks ago got on mino and after my workout in the gym I had an empty space in my brain and bad started. My brain felt ice cube cold and then would switch to sun burn hot on the brain. vision always slowed when looking at different things. Also my vision kinda has a hazy dark shield over everything I see. Bottom line aweful and thought I was dying!

Called the doc and got off it and put on Doxy. Didnt take doxy over the past week cause I wanted headaches to stop and they did and I was cured. Now took Doxy today and after my workout in the gym again all symptoms are back and there is heavy pressure in my brain. Feels like its being pinched in one spot. but it has moved to another spot in my brain and now back to the main one. Very painful and very scared. not taking my second dose as precribed tonight and will only take one tomorrow as well to see how I do. IS THIS GOOD IDEA? SHOULD I STOP TAKING THIS AS WELL BECAUSE OF DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECTS???

I heard bad things with mino but not anything on whether doxy can also cause all the brain problems.

NEED TO KNOW IF TAKING THIS IS WORTH THE PAIN OR IF IM CAUSEING BRAIN DAMAGE!!!
PLEASE HELP ASAP!!!

Has anyone ever experienced stomach issues while using Benzaclin? If so, what did you experience? Did it cause any severe conditions? Did anything help?

I started having odd bowel problems in November. I was really constipated at the time and was having random pains throughout my lower abdomen and a near constant feeling of discomfort. I saw several doctors and blood work/CT scan were normal. I cleared up the constipation, but the stomach pains remained through February. Then it all seemed to gradually go away and I've been feeling fine up until a few days ago.

Now, I was using Benzaclin occasionally during this time (Oct. - Dec.) and it had been about a year since I'd used it, but I had used it with good results and zero side effects before. It didn't even occur to me through all of that mess that the Benzaclin could have been a possible cause. The reason I'm thinking this now is that I just got it refilled a few days ago because I've been breaking out pretty badly lately. I only use it for spot treatment and I don't use it religiously, but after applying it here and there, later that day I started having the uncomfortable lower abdominal feeling along with mild pains again.

Is it even possible for it to have had such an effect so quickly? I have stopped using it and started taking Acidophilus. It's only been a few days and the only difference I have noticed is a lighter stool, and I'm not sure if that could be from the Acidophilus or whatever's wrong with me. I'm really worrying there may be something serious going on and upset that I may have started this all over again by using the med. Has anyone experienced anything like this with Benzaclin? Or with another med, even? Thoughts?

Has anyone had results with BenzaClin? It is 1% clindamycin 5% benzoyl peroxide gel. Just went on it along with minocycline 100mg/once a day.

Hello,

Just wondering what people's experience with Oracea has been. I've been using it for the past month. I definitely tolerate it a lot better than higher dose doxycyline which made me nauseous. But it's really expensive despite the savings card.

I have developed some resistance to lymecycline. I am seeing my doctor on monday as i've been taking these for over a year. I'm concerned he will give me doxycycline. If i'm resistant to one teracycline will I be resistant to all the others?

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Hi can you tell me how long you can take these antibotics they are 300mg 1 a day -

my daughter acne stared at primary school so we have used most of the creams and lotions as we had to wait until she was 12 before anything else was perscribed . Has been taking these since April and now Ive been told that she needs to come off - I was some what shocked as I though this may have been a bit more long term than this . Your thoughs on this would be a comfort as we have a drs appointment Monday and my daughter is just about feeling good about herself - and I cant see her getting so low about herself feeling that she does not fit in as this is heartbreaking for me to see at such a young and impressionable age.

Hey,

If you have, could you tell me your experiences with it? How long did you use it for? How well did it work? Did the acne come back once you stopped? etc...

Thanks.

Ok i have been using benzaclin as a spot treatment for the past 6 months and it works great at reducing inflammation and getting rid of my acne on chin.

My important question: I read around here that you can use benzaclin as an all over topical. How can you? If i was to apply all over chin and around mouth it will dry up and become as white paste as it does when i spot treat. I have a new jar of it too so its fresh. Can you apply moisturizer over that when it dries and it will still be as effective? Ive been posting about using Retin A micro and i am just trying to decide. Really want to use something that i know that works but like i said only have used it as a spot treatment cause that is how i was told to use it.

NEED HELP AND ADVICE

MAIN QUESTION: What should I take thats good and not related to Minocycline because my brain is extremely screwed up right now and im freaking out!?!?


STORY
I was on acne meds all last year and then went to mino with No side effects. I went off everything because I was cleared up and had to go to boot camp for the Air Force and didn't want to waste time taking pills.

POINT OF STORY

I just went back to school this semester and acne started again. Just got on mino this past thursday, went out drinking thursday night and friday was very hung over. I took my supplements and went to go work out in the weight room. BAD HAPPENS. I almost die in there. so tiered like usual so I didn't care. All Friday night however I thought I was dying and it felt like I had a whole in my brain, empty spot in my brain, and couldn't see and focuse on anything, my heart was raising, I sat on my couch looking at the floor with ice on my head chugging about 25 glasses of water all night.

NEXT DAY

Saturday my head hurts but I drink water all day and I go out and drink anyways but not that much. From Sunday to today which is Wednesday October 28, 2009 I have had problems with my brain and vision. My brian is either freezing cold like an ice pack is on it or super hot like it is a sunburn on your skin but on your brain, and this feeling is constant all day and changes from each extreme temperature back and forth from if Im inside to going outside. It is hard for me to focus and my vision is screwed up and dizzy.

WHAT I DID TODAY

I just called my doc and no reply so I went on this site and I see that mino can be nightmare crazy for your body so I love all of you for the info and stopped taking it today but am not sure if ill get better or not or if I should see doctors or I don't no just wanted some feedback if you guys think this is from the mino and if I should take another anitbiotic for acne or not at all cause my sister has nerve damage and her whole life is kinda screwed up and docs can't help her and I am feeling awful and have a lot of her symptoms and I don't want to be unhealthy and hurt my brain, etc.

Please respond with advice on what I should take and do!!!!!

I started on doxy and was switched to mino on oct 13th.

All GI problems stopped except for never being hungry. Which is fine cause I started a new diet.

Acne on my back is already 90% better. I do still get swollen nasty things that I never got before antibiotics. Ew.

My face looks better - I guess. I say that because I haven't been getting as many cysts and ifllammed acne. But I am still getting them -
worse though I've been getting a LOT of huge blackheads that form overnight on my cheeks, forehead, chin etc. I've been giving myself almost daily extractions otherwise they get worse and worse. I've also been getting lots of surface whiteheads and deep white things. Most aren't inflammed but some are.
My skin has also gotten very oily since starting antibiotics.
My neck and scalp has also gotten an onslaught of inflammed acne. Oi

I'm really not used to this. My skin was always smooth and clear except where I had inflammed acne and now it's bumpy all over showing signs of getting worse - not better.

Regimine:
wash 5% benzoyl peroxide 1-2x day
clinamycin(sp) gel 1x day
retinol cream at night once every couple days
minocycline 100mg at night
(no longer a need for a moisturizer for the first time in my life. Used to have aligator skin nose. Used to have normal skin with severely dry nose. Now super oily with normal nose)

My doctor prescribed Minocycline 100mg twice a day. I was looking around at reviews of minocycline and it seems like most people are on 50mg twice a day. I was wondering if this is too high of a dose for me esp. since i'm pretty petite, i weigh only 100 lbs. Should i just take 100mg a day?

I am also thinking of maybe calling the doctor's office and having it switched to doxycyline as i hear that's safer to take (has less serious side effects). Any thoughts on this? I am very nervous about starting an oral antibiotic b/c i dont want to rely on it and hear that it gets worse if you stop. I asked my doctor how long i should be on this and he replied "how long do you not want acne?" wtf! So pretty much he said i have to take this indefinitely which is not healthy or natural for you. So yeah....don't know whether to start it....but my acne is getting so bad, i just want i tto be over already! I don't want to deal with this at age 25!!

Well, i saw reviews on "Evoclin" and they didn't really help so i just wanted some questions answered from people who have been using this product for a while and have experienced with this product i'm being prescribed for "Evoclin (clindamycin phosphate) Foam, 1%" and i wanted some questions answered, well here they go:

When you put it on in the morning you leave it on right? and when you go outside your supposed to put suncreen on? but should i wash off the Evoclin or leave it on and apply the suncreen cause i play sports.

And if you please reply back and help me out a bit by answering these questions it would mean alot to me.
Please:)

I'm currently taking one 308mg lymecycline capsule per day. I have been doing this for over a year now. I also use a BHA on my face. My acne has been really good for so long now, but the past few weeks I have had large spots coming up and fear the lymecycline may becoming ineffective. My face looks ok, but nothing like it was i.e. I was completely clear before. Should I return to the doctor or see how it goes? Is it possible i'm becoming resistant to lymecycline? I fear my face may go back to when it was really bad if I leave it too long.