Minocycline (Antibiotic) Reviews

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Prescription summary (811 votes)

How well it works

:):):)
3.1/5
Agreeability

:):):)
2.9/5
Affordability

:):):)
3.7/5
Common brand names: Minocin

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Sarah, PA
May 27th, 2008
How well it works
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Agreeability
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Affordability
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Pros:This medication clears up my acne more quickly than about anything I've tried. I used it about 5 years ago, but then had to go off of it. Now am back on and once again before I've even taken it for a week, my skin is drying in clearing beautifully.
Cons:EXTREME sun sensitivity. I went to a Pirates game and even though I normal don't even tan, I have developed a slight case of sun poisoning. This med also causes extreme itchiness because it has such a high tissue concentration level.
Bottom Line:For me it works like a miracle drug, but you have to outweight the pros and cons. Make sure you invest in good sunblock before spending time outside. Girls, eat lots of yogurt. The worst thing about this med is that you can't stay on it forever. And i'm terrified of what will happen when I have to go off of it again.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Sarah has used this item for about a week.
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J, CA
May 26th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:I went on Minocycline 2 seperate times about a year apart, the first time it kept my skin almost completely clear for about 3 months, then stopped working, so i decided to stop taking it. Next time i took it it worked better than the previous time.
Cons:I had to stop taking it again even though it was still working. I developed purplish-blue pigmentation on my tongue that is apparently extremely rare, my derm says shes really never seen it happen. it can spread to your face and become permanent.
Bottom Line:Seems I can tolerate this antibiotic for a few months at a time before it stops working or something weird happens. I was really disappointed the second time because it was still working great when I noticed the tongue spots. Also maybe of note, I felt a little "under the weather" while taking this med; not healthy...just kind of drained. I cannot be sure this was a result of the minocycline, however. I guess minocycline is kind of hit or miss, try it and see what happens.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:J has used this item for a few months.
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Sarah, Utah
May 24th, 2008
How well it works
:):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:)
Bottom Line:I've been on this for about a month. I think I have developed hives. I am itching like crazy all over my body. I have broken out in hives from other antibiotics before. Also, the acne on my face has cleared up a bit. But my back is worse than ever.

I also gained almost 10 pounds in the month I have been on it. I have no idea if that is a coincidence, or related to the pills.

To women, I would recommend the Yasmin birth control pill. That will be my next step. My OB put me on a low dose birth control pill, but I am going to go back to Yasmin. It made my face beautiful. I took it a few years ago.
Recommended:No
Usage:Sarah has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:77.00
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gorgeous86, Atlanta, GA
May 22nd, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:Cleared up my acne better than doxycycline within two weeks ( 200mg a day). My face is smoother than it has been in years.
Cons:Unfortunately I may have to stop taking this medication. I have had constant headaches that started about a week after I started this medicine ( I've been on it for about a month now) I also had a yeast infection week 2
Bottom Line:This product works great. Try it for a week. If you can deal with the side effects, then stick with it. If not, find something else. Do not put your health at risk for clear skin.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:gorgeous86 has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:58.00
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Ayanna, Houston,TX
May 20th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Not breaking out as much as I had been.
Cons:A bit of depression and I'm not one to be depressed.
Bottom Line:Would recommend minocyclene over accutane because of the side effects of accutane. My dermatologists also has me using Tazorac, which he describes as liquid sand paper. Has helped smooth out my skin. Now contending with the hyperpigmentation (dark spots) from the acne.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Ayanna has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:45.00
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James, Ireland
May 19th, 2008
How well it works
:)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):)
Pros:Works somewhat initally
Cons:Made acne worse..new spots which where nt many but when they did come they where deep red and long lasting..seemed to make me tired and sleep bad..not sure if the drug caused this or coincidence..anyway after 3 months have stopped taking them..
Bottom Line:A false dawn, wasted 3months when could've been half way through accutane treatment which prob would work and last..
Recommended:No
Usage:James has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:60.00
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Christina, Canada
May 18th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Improved my acne within weeks & prevents cystic acne
Cons:Yeast infections, poor circulation & sun sensitivity.
Bottom Line:I have been taking this anti-biotic for over a year now and it has worked well. But recently I have noticed alot more frequent break-outs and I feel like its not working as well anymore. I dont know what to do next...My doctor tells me birth control? Any advice?
Recommended:Yes
Price Paid:50.00
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Jen, Goleta, CA
May 15th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):)
Affordability
:):):)
Pros:Cleared up acne the first time.
Cons:The second time I took it, several years later, it made me incredible itchy and I developed welts all over.
Bottom Line:Reading through these replies, I realize that I'm not the only one with this sort of reaction. Like the person from Canada, my allergy didn't develop until the second time I went on it. The first time I took it for facial acne and it worked, although it took about 6 months to my recollection. But the acne didn't come back and my face is clear to this day. The second time I went back on it for back acne, about three years later, and it made me itchy, but ignored the symptoms, until they got so bad I couldn't stand it. I stopped taking it (about a month ago) and I'm still itchy! THE BOTTOM LINE: TRY IT OUT, BUT DON'T IGNORE ANY SYMPTOMS LIKE ITCHINESS. JUST STOP TAKING IT.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Jen has used this item for about a month.
Price Paid:10.00
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Anonymous
May 14th, 2008
How well it works
:):):):)
Agreeability
:):):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:It really did clear up my acne. After trying numerous acne treatments i was surprised this actually worked. I have been on it for 6 months and no side effects so far.
Cons:It takes a long time to see results. I saw first results in about 3 months.
Bottom Line:This drug works well if you take it consistently and are desperate to get rid of your acne. For me, there are no side effects so far, but that may just be the way my body reacts. I've heard it can effect a person's joints, so if you have any kind of joint problems, this might worsen it. Otherwise, I definitely recommend it.
Recommended:Yes
Usage:Reviewer has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:15.00
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ryan, Smith
May 12th, 2008
How well it works
:):):)
Agreeability
:):):):)
Affordability
:):):):):)
Pros:reduces little acne, after about 6-8 weeks but does not cure it. i recommend accutane which my brother used for cystic acne and worked tramendously.
Cons:redness, some dry skin, about fifth week in i started to break out
Bottom Line:get accutane there is more assurance on clearing up your face with accutane rather than minocycline.
Recommended:No
Usage:ryan has used this item for a few months.
Price Paid:15.00
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