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
September 30, 2011
Cons:
have to take it everyday and risk growing immune to antibiotics
not good enough and not worth it
July 12, 2011
Pros:
cleared up acne
Cons:
Significant depression, suicidal tendencies, disrupted menstrual cycle, weight gain and severely lethargic. My doctor said none of my side effects could be caused by the drug, but I NEVER had those problems prior or after I stopped taking the pills.
Don't take them!
May 14, 2011
Pros:
Cleared up severe breakout within days
Stays clear when taken everyday
Cons:
YEAST INFECTION! kills the good and bad :(
Pelvic inflammation, have to pee all the time
Acne returns when stop taking
Feel fatigued, anxious, depressed
Worried about continuous antibiotic use
I've had moderate to severe acne since puberty, 13 yrs old. Was severe through teens, improved some in early & mid twenties. I exercise, eat mostly organic and half the food I consume in a day is raw. I would say my diet, exercise and sleep is fairly balanced and not the issue. I have tried EVERY product from commercial (Neutrogena) to Proactive to very pure organic products. After years of using witch hazel (with alcohol) and thinking it helped, I realized it was creating an imbalance. Now my regimen is basic with a mild natural & organic cleanser and a moisturizer, but my body has gone crazy for the last couple months my acne is severe. Seems hormones are a culprit, but after using the Doxycycline, it seems to be more bacterial/inflammation related?? The Doxycycline is giving immediate results but at the same time wreaking havoc on my body..got insurance last week so going to see the dermatologist again...this can't be good long term...
October 24, 2009
Pros:
It isw affordable, thats about it.
Cons:
It hasn't clear my acne at all. I thought this would work but again FAIL! I am switching dermatologists and let's see if this new one can help me, again this drug has not helped me at all and I get terrible nausea and headaches from it. Not worth it.
Switch to other medications or doctors, this medication did not help me at all.
September 4, 2009
Pros:
Clears up skin
Cons:
Causes moderate nausea and vomiting if taken on an empty stomach.
Still causes mild nausea if taken with food.
My dermatologist thinks I have perioral dermatitus (I don't agree because I have white heads, not red bumps) but she prescribed doxycycline because she said it treats both. I am taking 100mg twice a day for a month with a second month if necessary. I wish it were only once a day because I tend to forget to take it. I've made the mistake of taking a pill and then forgetting to eat breakfast with the result that when I do eat, it makes me nauseous. One time 30 minutes had passed and I drank a Slim Fast and promptly threw it back up. I then ate some rice cakes and was able to keep those down. I have also gotten nauseous when I take the pill right before I eat. The best way to do it (with still a little nausea) is to eat and then wait a while before you take the pill (hence why I forget to take it). Also, make sure it is solid food, like crackers or a granola bar. I've had to adjust what I eat because I'm dieting (example: fruit is not enough in your stomach to prevent nause
August 17, 2009
Pros:
None that I have experienced.
Cons:
Horrible stomach pains if I eat anything, Upset stomach with or without eating, Skin got worse three days after taking it, extreme loss of appetite (can't eat without feeling sick or bad stomach pain)
I think I may stop taking this all together. I have had a severe stomach pains that start 15 minutes after taking the pill. They come and go all day, but are the worst right after taking the pill. I have gotten sick from it with or without eating. When I do eat, I feel sick or stomach pains, so I don't eat more than 1 small meal a day. It's pretty bad when you have to force yourself to eat something. When I went to the doctor, I had one pimple. She prescribed 150mg once a day. Within the first two days of treatment, my skin broke out severely. I have not had acne this bad in over 10 years. I am debating whether to stop taking it. It is also on the expensive side for maintenance type medication. With insurance it was $45. Without, it was over $400. I also had a rebate card that took it down to $25.
July 26, 2009
Pros:
Clears about half up...works well. No side effects for me.
Cons:
Takes a month to a month an a half to kick in (long process). Can't drink milk 1-2 hours before or after taking it. Sun-reactive.
Works pretty well. I'm on 150mg once daily (morning or night). Drink a bottle of water with it (:
October 28, 2008
Pros:
Cheap, reduces inflammation and some lesions dissappear, no side effects
Cons:
Still breaking out after 7 weeks, some pimples dont fully dissappear
I started treatment 7 weeks ago with topical erythromycin and 50 mg of doxycycline once daily. The erythromycin only lasted one week and i am certain my doxy dosage isnt enough but my doctor wont let me increase it. By about three weeks my acne was responding to the doxy and i noticed huge improvement. Since about the 5 week mark my acne has not improved and i continue to break out and then slowly the pimples subside, followed by another breakout. It works but doesnt finish the job!
July 21, 2007
Pros:
good for mild acne, costs next to nothing
Cons:
nausea, long-term resistance and decreased effectiveness
Use this ONLY if you have mild acne [5 active spots?]. For SEVERE sufferers [7 or more? 3 popping up each day?] I suggest, go straight to RoAccutane. Or else, it's not worth it - you risk getting leaky gut, thrush, and when the time comes when you're infected with a stubborn flu once you get off the antibiotics, you'll just have to get even stronger antibiotics. I've used it for over a year, then switched to RoAccutane; we'll see how it goes. Meantime, don't let e derm waste ur time and cause more harm to your body if you really think it's not gonna work for you - trust your logics, some jaded derm's algo thinking might not always work out.
June 12, 2007
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
This antibiotic was horrible. No matter how much food or water I took with it, it would always cause me to throw up several times after taking it and feel sick all day. It also did not clear my skin - probably because I always threw it up.
Don't take it unless you have a really strong stomach. This medicine is extremely corrosive.
Pros:
just BARELY helped with acne