I cant really answer your question directly because antibiotics never really worked for me but I would say if youre 97 percent clear just keep using it. Worst case you do become resistant from it (which youll tell when you start breaking out more) and then you can move onto accutane. I would not keep switching antibiotics once one stops working however.

But thats just my opinion. I know it didnt really answer your question.

perhaps you can taper off a bit, to half the dose you are taking now...keep taking it, but try for less, and over time try to reduce it all together....also at your age, time should be on your side and hopefully you are outgrowing it to some extent....

but small steps, always small steps, no major changes

good luck to you!

Unless you are experiencing side-effects or it stops working, I wouldn't change anything If I were you. Maybe take a probiotic to keep your gut healthy, but I wouldn't be too concerned.

I was on Doxycycline from Jan. 2011 til March 2013 and it worked pretty well the whole time. I began using it when I was having pretty consistent breakouts and having them for longer than usual. After it started becoming effective I had the occasional few zits, but nothing major all the way up until I discontinued using it. I was only on 20mg twice a day, so a relatively low dose. My current dermatologist just started out giving me Accutane after explaining there will probably be some bacterial resistance over time. Then I'd have to keep switching antibiotics til nothing worked. Accutane should be the end all for most people.

Antibiotics completely suppressed cystic acne for me between July 2012-April 2013. So just over 10 months. But then gradually its started to come back unfortunately. The treatment was used alongside Isotrex (Tretinoin gel).