Acne.org Products
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
56%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Oral Antibiotic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Antibiotics should be used for a maximum of 3 months, provide only moderate benefit and only to some people, and may lead to side effects and strains of resistant bacteria. Studies do show doxycycline can reduce severe acne in the short term, and as far as oral antibiotics are concerned, it’s usually the go-to, but approach with caution and stay your own advocate.
Oral Antibiotic
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Doxycycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 18, 2009
Cons:
Mainly nausea if not taken with food, can't have dairy products within two hours, can't have certain minerals within two hours, and worst of all, it caused my skin to break out very badly. It took months to clear up after stopping it.
Don't take it. Research shows that antibiotics, if taken too long could be bad. However, my recommendation for not taking it is mainly due to what it may do to your skin. I had mild (But consistent and stubborn) acne before taking this. Now I have moderate to severe acne. It has been several weeks since I stopped taking this, and my face is having fewer new pimples every day, but it will take a long time for the acne that is already there to go away. I regret taking this medicine.
March 11, 2009
Pros:
Started to work within a week. Noticed I was breaking out less and when I did they were not as big as before.
Cons:
The fact that it is an antibiotic and do not need to use it for an extended period of time. Also makes you sick if not taken with food.
It is a good stepping stone to the next course of treatment for my acne. I am glad that is has worked thus far, however, I am only taking it for 8 weeks. I hope that my derm and I can continue to progress with whatever he describes me next. But it doesn't hurt to try.
March 7, 2009
Pros:
none
Cons:
Caused severe acne on my face.
I was prescribed this med for a problem with my eyelid. The doxy cleared up my eye irritation but has caused tonnes of acne on my face. My forehead and cheeks are covered in small pimples and it is driving me mad. I was very surprised to read on this site that this medication is prescribed for clearing up acne. And my eye irritation has since returned. I have been on this for 6 weeks and do not wish to continue.
March 4, 2009
Pros:
cleared up some of my acne
Cons:
suffered from side effects. I was moody and had abdominal pain. Had to drink plenty of water to prevent yeast infections
Cleared up some of my acne but side effect not worth it.
January 26, 2009
Pros:
It seems to be working have been on it for 3 months and have another 3 months to go. so hopefully it clears right up.
Cons:
made me sick if not eaten with food. takes a while to work
it works well and hopefully will clear my acne fully by the end of the 6 months.
January 8, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
Hives
Sickness
Chest pain - I was allergic to it.
The first 2 days of taking it I was extremley sick and developed hives on my lower legs. On day 3 I evperienced an allergic reaction. My chest felt like it was on fire, I couldn't breathe properly, I couldn't eat or drink without really bad pain in my chest.
December 21, 2008
Pros:
didnt make me worse
Cons:
sisnt make me better...stomach aches
dosn't work
November 20, 2008
Pros:
I haven't been on it long enough to experience any
Cons:
Vomiting and severe stomach aches
DO NOT USE THIS! I tried this for a few days and my stomach felt bad and then on the third day I took it in the morning after a light breakfast and puked and puked and puked! My stomach felt absolutely awful like I had been poisoned. I then waited a week and tried again, this time on a completely full stomach... and puked. I had to stay home from school because my stomach hurt so bad. Don't risk your health for good skin and try some natural remedies instead.
November 14, 2008
Pros:
Works pretty well. Generic. Cheap. Didn't dry out skin or increase sensitivity to sun. After a while (and in passing) I noticed back acne was pretty much gone. Which is nice.
Cons:
Long-term effectiveness and long-term reliability does not impress me. Doesn't seem to hurt, though.
(I notice that "bottom line" is a misnomer. More like "full story.")
Patient: 28 YO male. Symptoms: Generally bad, but not cystic, acne about nose and forehead, with irregular break outs taking skin from moderate to bad. Started using doxycycline 100mg once a day, prescribed by GP. Seemed to work really well for a couple months, then...not so much. After three months in I am questioning it's long-term effectiveness. I think I'll recommend minocycline to my GP, as that worked pretty well in my late teens. Bottom Line: Definitely not an end-all-be-all solution, but I'd recommend it.
October 7, 2008
Pros:
No side affects for me
Cons:
I have used it for 2 months and still see no difference in my acne. Looks like I might have to try something else.
Didn't work for me yet. My prescription is for 3 months tho, but so far no luck :(.
Pros:
NONE! I used this product for over two months and it made my acne far worse. I know it was doxycycline that caused it. My pimples changed to small little whiteheads, about 8-10 new ones every day. That is far different that what I had before.