Cephalexin : Oral Antibiotic

I am a 36yof that began suffering from HORRIBLE cystic acne a little over a year ago. I have never had any acne issues that a little application OTC acne spot treatment wouldn’t cure. I would only occasionally get a bump on my chin near the time of my menstrual cycle....until a year ago. 

 

My dermatologist initially prescribed topical Benzoyl Peroxide-Clindamycin, along with Spironolactone 50mg. No improvement. 

 

She, then, added Doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 90 days to the mix and increased Spironolactone to 75mg (1.5 tablets). Not really any improvement. 

 

Followed-up again and received Spironolactone 100mg, continue with Doxycycline and new order for Tretinoin 0.1% cream. I could tell the cream was doing great on areas where I did not have bumps, but it delayed healing in the areas with existing bumps. 

 

I recently had surgery, where I was prescribed Keflex 250mg to take for post-op infection prophylaxis. I did not have one single bump the entire course of the Keflex! 2 days after completion of the 10 day treatment plan, I woke up with 2 new, painful cystic bumps!!!! 

 

I got some more Keflex, started it that night, and woke up the bumps basically dried up. They are no longer painful. Without Keflex, it would take well over a week to see any improvement. 

 

Since continuing Keflex therapy, I’ve not had another one in WEEKS! I’d rather take it anyway, as I don’t have to avoid the summer sun while taking it, like I would Doxycycline! 

I typically have clear skin with a few blemishes here and there but nothing serious and they go away within a day or two. However, once every 8-12 months I get one or two big cystic pimples, one being almost two inches in diameter. Whenever these pop up I head to the doctor and get a prescription for this and it works great, I typically take 4 pills a day for a week. Within a few days its reduces in size tremendously and its gone by the end of the week.