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 2, 2010
Cons:
- Effect wears off :(
- Acne bacteria resistance...
I've always been battling acne on and off (sometimes benzoyl peroxide fixed everything up), but last summer my skin was at its worst... So I went to dermatologist and started taking doxycycline, as well as applying Epiduo. By the next week, there was already improvement! At the end of the break, my skin was a freaking miracle to me - smooth, not ONE single pimple. But I stopped taking it after my prescription (6 months) since my skin had no problems. Of course, it came back, and now I have acne again....but it's less severe than it was last year, so I'm wondering if I should deal with antibiotics, since I don't like what it does to my body internally (though I had no side effects from doxycycline.)
April 25, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up my milia
Cons:
acne comes back slowly
I didn't' take this antibiotic for acne but for something else but while i was taking this for a week, i did notice that my forehead acne (milia) was going away. I have acne on my cheeks and my forehead but since my cheek acne was already under control by benzoyl peroxide I was not able to know if it was clearing my cheek acne as well. However i think this was definately affective for my acne. Took this morning and night for a week.
April 9, 2010
Pros:
- Very economical.
- Effective with consistent recovery.
- Easy to swallow capsule.
Cons:
- Will make you feel very ill for a long while if taken on an empty stomach.
- Requires planning, i.e. when to eat, when to take the medication.
- Should be taken at regular time intervals.
- Supplements like calcium, magnesium, iron, antacids, laxatives and others reduce the effectiveness of the antibiotic.
- May develop side effects, e.g. diarrhea, yeast infection, stomach pains, etc.
- Possibility of increased resistance of bacteria.
Acne runs in my family (from both sides). My grandparents, my uncles and aunts, cousins all suffer from acne. This is my third course on the antibiotics so I know that this works for me as it had in the past. I've noticed a trend of 4-5 years of clear skin before the next severe uncontrollable acne breakout. I used to go to a dermatologist for my last two courses. Needless to say, the consultation fees and harsh topical medications were very costly and I never enjoyed my trips to the clinic anyway. Recently, I purchased the medication over the counter and realised how much I could have saved in the past. Currently, I am at day 12 of my course. There has been little to no breakouts since I started the course. However, several acne breakouts occured during the 3-4 day period when I had very little sleep. I had been up late at nights during those days rushing a deadline to finish synthesizer/keyboard arrangements for a coming acoustic gig and had been going to late rehearsals and waking up early the next morning for work. Not only did I breakout, I fell sick from overworking (burned out). Medication should always be accompanied with a good regimen. Other than that, the antibiotics helped clear my pus-filled acnes and swells. I had acne on my forehead, left and right cheeks and chin. Most had cleared out and started to reduce in swelling and redness within the first week. It was so noticeable that my boyfriend was more than shocked to see the improvement. Before this, it got so bad to the point where I couldn't even touch my face lightly to wash without crying out in pain. I am now using Shiseido's facial wash, moisturizer and blemish gel. Before I had the severe breakout, I was also on supplements like vitamin B complex, C, E, Zinc and Magnesium, Fish Oil and Calcium. I am lactose intolerant and had also recently sustained an injury of a broken toe. I had to stop intake of Calcium, Zinc and Magnesium for the meantime.
April 2, 2010
Pros:
-Not costly
- Clears most deep acne
- Cleared about 1/2 of my blackheads & whiteheads
- My face is a lot smoother after 3 months
- Works well with Differin
- I have only been having few acne break outs, they usually go away after a day
- Does not dry out your skin (just saying this because I know Accutane does)
Cons:
- Had stomach aches for first week of using this product
- Acne does not clear over night, I saw little results after a month 1/2. Patience is key
- You need to take this medicine on a schedule
- I still have some acne coming up, it hasn't stopped breakout yet, but it is so much better than it was 3 months ago
- Does not clear up scars
*Keep in mind that I have been using this for only 3 1/2 months, and you are supposed to use this for 6 months or more* I started using this around January, I had low hopes for it but I didn't want to start using Accutane just yet. After a month my acne got a little worse, but two weeks after that most of my breakouts were gone. My problem areas were around my cheek which consisted of mainly deep acne, and around my chin which was mostly whiteheads and blackheads. It took about two months for this medicine to clear around 50% of my white&blackheads but the results are good so far. My dermatologist told me to take this twice a day at separate times, but I took both pills at night right before I went to bed with a glass of water. Don't take it right before or right after eating because you will get really bad stomach pains. I went to my dermatologist not to long ago and I'm going to stop this medicine and go on Accutane. For me this isn't working fast enough and there is no guarantee that it will keep my acne away forever, but with Accutane I can be more confident that my acne will go away forever. If your acne isn't that bad, and you're willing to wait about 6 weeks to start to see results then by all means get this! It's a lot easier and hassle free than trying to get Accutane (believe me!) If it's your first time going to the dermatologist ask him/her if you could try some antibiotics. I got put on tropical creams for about 6 weeks before going on this and let me just tell you that the creams don't work! Save your money and just ask them about antibiotics. I wish I just skipped that step and tried antibiotics because they really do work, you just need a little patience.
April 2, 2010
Pros:
Read Bottom Line
Cons:
Nothing really
Just a short sum up, I have being on this medication about 5/6 months and it works wonders 90% of the time and keeps my skin pretty much clear besides the odd spot however I am sick of its occasional ability to loose control for a week or so... I have decided to go onto Roaccutane and hopefully get rid of the left over acne once and for all But seriously, doxy is a GREAT product it has been a life saver the last 6 months of my life definately recommend it! Easy to take, no side affects experienced!! DO IT! haha
March 9, 2010
Pros:
good skin, acne seemed to heal overnight,
Cons:
nausea, stomach cramps, slight oral thrush infection, occasionally had heartburn, slight dryness.
I really enjoyed using Doxy, it seemed to work immediately with only just one pill every morning but im now afraid that because ive just come to the end of my 3 month course, that it will become worse once again. i do not know whether it will permanently help my acne, my gut feeling is that it was a short term option as i think my body was beginning to build a resistance to the antibiotic, in effect the drug had become less effective. I'm hoping the contraceptive pill i am on will help :) wish me luck eek.
February 27, 2010
Pros:
Its works well on cyst acne.
Cons:
Cause irritating throat but that's only because I wasn't taking it with enough water. Makes you nauseous sometimes.
Ive been taking this with BP for about 2 weeks now. My acne flared up about the end of the 1st week. I was glad because I was on vacation. This week my acne has got a lot better but I have a couple of scars. Just make sure to keep a healthy diet to prevent breakouts.
February 13, 2010
Pros:
Works well on my face?
Cons:
doesnt really help with back, chest acne
I've been taking this for like pshhh...2 and a half weeks so far and i think it works awesome on my face...even though my face wasnt horrible to begin with, but i dont think its working that well on anything else, im going to start putting benzaclin on my back along with alpha hydrox 10% AHA gel, im changing my diet..NO MORE POP, plenty of water, and im going to start using selsun blue shampoo, and use borax powder for a body wash, I just wont give up til this nastty crap is gone! So for all of youu people out there with bacne, chest acne, keeepp fighting! Im not going to waste my life hiding my skin..and neither should you, If you have back acne use Doxycycline,benzaclin,and alpha hydrox 10% AHA Gel! :) Im trying this next week..so ill keep you posted on how its working!
January 30, 2010
Pros:
None yet
Cons:
I threw up only like once...no other big problems
I' ve only been taking it for a week, only one pill....im think about taking two..but i dont know if thats gonna make it worse or better? But anyways..i havent seen anyy real change,,,,i hope it works cause pshhhh acne just sucksss big time. i have it on my face, chest, back,arms...everyyywheree! and not bragging but i am reallly pretty....and if i didnt have acne...i would just be soo happpyyyyy!!! i hope this works!
December 19, 2009
Pros:
Great stuff, and I've tried just about everything short of Accutane, which I just can't bring myself to try. So far it has significantly cleared my skin, and it's only been a week. My skin looks to be more even as well, which is very nice.
Cons:
Don't drink alcohol when you take Doxy. I took a sip of wine and it made me vomit.
After having moderate acne for 10 years, Doxy is a godsend. I don't have medical insurance, so paying $10 for a month's worth of pills made me VERY happy.
Pros:
- Clears EVERYTHING
- No side effects (for me)
- Easy to take