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
December 15, 2011
Cons:
Acne may return within weeks after you stop taking it.
If your insurance can handle it, this can be a cheap way of keeping your acne off your face.
December 6, 2011
Cons:
Hard on stomach, no difference in acne, moodiness
I used this product for a month because I was allergic to sulfa (Which unfortunately had started to help me). I see no difference in my skin. It got worse (thinking it was going to surface my pimples and then get better)...it never got better. It made me very nauseous and I think it also affected my moods. If you google it in relation to depression it does list examples.
September 7, 2011
Pros:
Absolutely none.
Cons:
Made my acne a million time worse.
It did NOT work for me. I took it twice a day for 3 months and it made my acne awful. At the end of the 3 months, it wasn't as bad, but it was still bad.
August 14, 2011
Pros:
cheap cheap cheap
Cons:
didn't do ANYTHING
gave me stomach aches
I tried this after getting off of the ery tab (ery. was giving me awful, awful stomach aches, but it worked). I used this a couple of weeks after ery, so I had a few pimples. This did NOTHING for them. I was ticked.
November 4, 2009
Pros:
Works quickly - it's doing a great job in clearing up the acne on my back - upper shoulders and face
Cons:
Makes you sensitive to sunlight - and you MUST eat food before you take this or you will probably start to vomit.. it is explained on the container
from what i have experianced so far it's working very well on my acne and has improved the overall condition of my skin
November 3, 2009
Pros:
Cheap, reduces size and duration of nodular acne, relatively quick acting.
Cons:
Effects don't last very long after ceasing treatment.
Much more potent (smaller dose and quicker onset of results) than other cycline antibiotics, i.e. tetra- and minocycline. Generic tabs cost very little. When used with a benzoyl peroxide cream and salicylic acid cleanser it works well.
November 2, 2009
Pros:
i have only been taking it for 5 days but i havent gotten any new zits since i started it.
Cons:
makes my stomach hurt a bit for a while after taking it. but the first time i took it i took it without food and then went to school and was puking all over the place (bad idea) and sometimes gives me headaches.
i hope it will work. and the side effects arent to bad
October 25, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my face in less than a week! Did not give me nausea, diarrhea or any other side effects.
Cons:
Dry flaky skin where old cysts were but I think that will go away. My face is red due to sunlight sensitivity.
This pill has been my salvation. Of course its been a very small amount of time but I'm optimistic. My derm was a godsend.
September 12, 2009
Pros:
After 11 years (now 21 years old) i'm finally acne free, i had medium/severe acne on my back and neck, now it's gone. And I can say I tried so many things (diets, clothing, sporting, washing) but nothing helped! Only doxycyclyne does.
Cons:
I do not know if I am acne free now, because I still use it. But what if I stop my cure? Will it come back? I dont know, so i keep using it.
Its the only thing for me that helped, and I tried many things. KEEP USING IT for 5 months! I started my cure in november, I was acne free end of March. In Jan/Feb I felt sad that it didnt help, but I kept using it and finally in March I was free. So BE PATIENT. And by the way I had no side effects from the sun or what so ever. Its THE cure, further you need nothing. I tried other cleansers, gels, scrubs etc etc.... nothing helps, only doxy. Good luck.
August 27, 2009
Pros:
keep acne under control
no obvious side effects
Cons:
occasionally dry lips
doesn't help oily skin
stop taking it then huge breakout will happen
so far the most effective drugs for my body acne, I take 100mg per day. On the first month, I was cleared like 80%, but I still had cysts here and there sometimes.
I've tried to stop it twice, the first time cold turkey, the second time wean off from it, but both got pretty bad breakouts afterwards. But as far as the breakout severity is concerned, I recommend weaning off from it. Been taking it for a year, no obvious side effects, but not clear either...So I'm trying to talk to my derm to switch another drug, don't wanna be on antibiotics for such a long time.
Pros:
Works well when you find the correct dosage.