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
March 15, 2008
Cons:
took for about a month and didnt really make any difference
hasnt worked at all for me but that doesnt nessaraly mean it wont for others, trying mino now so fingers crossed..
March 6, 2008
Pros:
- helped reduce breakouts
Cons:
- causes nausea and induced vomitting when taken without food
It didn't clear my skin up on its own. I had to use it in combination with benzamycin cream. Also, it IS an antibiotic after all and I think I spent more time worrying about becoming immune to the antibiotic then about my actual acne. Paranoia at its finest!
November 1, 2007
Pros:
Doxy has worked pretty well for me, I would say about 90% of my acne has gone, and some weeks I have had a totally clear face and my skin never looked better.
Cons:
Ive not had any bad effects people talk about like stomach aches, but ive never been stupid enough to take it without food or lots of water, why? because the label tells you not to do that.
Doxy has given me a huge confidence boost, my skin has never been so clear, but my question is will it last? im not entirely confident im seeing small signs after 3 months of it getting slighty worse, but only very slighty I just wonder were I will be at with it another 3 months down the line. So eat before you take it and throw a good amount of water down your neck and you wont have any problems.
August 26, 2007
Pros:
THIS MEDICATION HAS BEEN A TOTAL SUCCES STORY FOR ME I AM 27 STILL DEALING WITH ACNE AFTER 1 MONTH ON DOXY MY FACE IS ALMOST COMPLETELTY CLEAR I JUST PRAY IT WILL SATY TH ESAME WHEN IM OFF IN A COUPLE MONTHS, ILL SAY IT HAS BEEN 75% EFFECTIVE FOR ME
Cons:
DRY SKIN, DRY LIPS, AND YOU DEFINATELY GOTTA TAKE THIS MEDICATION W/ LOTS OF WATER AND A MEAL YEAH MY STOMACH I SMORE UPET THAN USAL BUT TO ME ITS WORTH IT, IVE BEEN DEALING WITH ACNE FOR ATLEST 10 YEARS
EVERY THING ISNT FOR EVERY ONE BUT SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP AND GIVE IT A TRY IF YOUR DOC RECOMENDS IT, HECK RECOMMEND IT TO HIM. I REALLY DIDNT THINK ANY THING WOULD EVERY WORK BUT DOXY IS. MOST CONDITIONS A TREATABLE SO GIVE IT A TRY DONT BE COMBATIVE AN EVASE LIKE I WAS FOR SO LONG CLEARE SKIN HAS REALLY HELPED ME GET MY SWAGGER BACK, HOPEFULLY THIS INFORMATION WILL HELP SOME ONE. I KEEP LOOKING IN THE MIRROR SA I WRITE AND DUDE I AM PLEASE WIHT THE RESULTS, PRAY AND GO SEE YOUR DOC IF DOXY DONT WORK SOMETHING WILL EVENTUALLY.
July 24, 2007
Pros:
DOESN'T WK FOR ME MY FACE IS STILL HURTS AND LOADED WITH PIMPLES.
Cons:
NOT FOR ME
I'LL TRY ACCUTANE AGAIN IT WK WELL FOR ME AND MY FACE WAS SO CLEAR BUT I HAD A TERRIBLE FEVER A MONTH AFTER COMING OFF THE PRODUCT I THOUGTH I WAS GOING TO DIE MY WHOLE BODY ACHED
October 1, 2012
Pros:
cleared acne
Cons:
nausea inducing
caused gastric ulcers
dried out skin
difficult to swallow
This product did clear up my acne. However, it gave me very dry and flaky skin. It is also very hard to swallow! THIS PILL GOT STUCK IN MY THROAT, AND ERODED IT, CAUSING AN ULCER. I also had one stick to my stomach. It is one of the most painful things that has ever happened to me. I was on a liquid diet for months. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SWALLOWING IT, STOP TAKING IT RIGHT AWAY.
September 15, 2012
Pros:
-cheap
-easy to swallow
Cons:
-makes me feel very very tired
-mood swing (a prominent problem for me)
-a lot of white and black heads
-sun sensitivity
-did not work AT ALL
People on this forum gave me a lot of useful information about the pill before I started taking the pill and so I really would like to share my experiences of taking this pill. Just give it a second thought before you try the pill.
I started taking this pill 6 weeks ago (early August) and just stopped it yesterday. My acne just got worse than ever! I guess I am immune to it. My doctor prescribed 100 mg to me and I took one per day.
1st week: slightly better
2nd week: got worse suddenly
3rd-6th week: better than 2nd week but worse then not taking it
I nearly threw up the first day I took it because I did not have enough food before I took it. Just remember to eat enough before you take it.
One very obvious side effect for me is that I got extremely tired very easily. If you are not a very strong person you might get tired pretty easily after taking this pill. I am not sure if it is just me. I got so tired and I always wanted to sleep. I remember a few reviews mentioning the exhaustion. Unluckily I am one of the users that have this side effect.
Would like to remind you that the pill can cause deformity in babies if you're pregnant while taking this pill.
I became emotional after taking this pill. If the pill can cause deformity in babies than I suspect that it has something to do with hormones. It might be the reason why I became sad so easily. My friends in college noticed that I became tired and sad after taking this pill. I would not even start taking the pill if I know it brings mood swing.
My acne did not get any better (but luckily not worse for too much). However I have become weaker.
I really think that if you don't see any results after 6 weeks just stop taking it. I've tried another prescription 6-7 years ago. I was moderately severe at that time. I took the green little pill for a month and the acne was all gone by the end of the month and only scars left. If a prescription really suits you results should be seen more p
May 16, 2012
Pros:
Clears Acne Temporarily
Cons:
Acne Returns as soon as you Stop
Will never use again
April 29, 2012
Pros:
-Saw some improvement of red spots on my back
Cons:
-Severe nausea
-Stomach cramps
My derm percribed this to me to get rid of the red marks on my back. I did see a little improvement in the first week and a half, but I started getting sick everyday so I stopped taking it. It might work for other people, give it a try.
December 31, 2011
Pros:
- Gradually clears up acne
- reduces redness and pimple size
- very inexpensive
- easy usage
Cons:
- takes a long time to see results
- doesn't completely clear acne
- makes skin sensitive to ultraviolet light
This pill does clear up most acne in time. I have been taking one pill a day for 6 weeks and about half of my acne has been cleared on my face, chest, back, and shoulders. My dermatologist said to wait 3 more weeks before seeing full results. The redness and size of my pimples has decreased as well. It does take a while to see results so you must have patience. Unfortunately I can't use this pill in the summer because of the sun sensitvitey and I am not spending my days hiding under an umbrella. All in all, this pill has work rather well for me but results vary for everyone and therefore if I were you, I'd give this perscripiton a try.
Pros:
easy to take, didnt dry my skin out like topical acne treatments do