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 30, 2013
Cons:
Cleared skin about 50%
Pimples still visible under surface
Not the miracle product I was hoping for
Takes a while to work for the minimal results
Have been on doxy for 6 months. Started with 100mg a day have now been on 200mg a day for 3 months. When I went away and forgot the product for 2 days I did start breaking out again which shows this product does help control the acne a little. However, my skin is far far from clear meaning it did not fully work for me. Used with a cetaphil oily skin cleanser.
March 29, 2013
Pros:
Easy to take
Saw some results
Cons:
Takes a long time
Caused constipation for me
Reliance on medication
Couldnt take supplements 2 hrs before and after
I have been taking doxycycline 50mg/day for about a month now and I have noticed little results but not dramatic. I have two months left and am rather worried my acne will come back worse.
March 25, 2013
Pros:
Saw some results, but not really.
Cons:
Didn't clear up my acne.
Made my ears & armpits super itchy.
Caused my nails to peel.
Couldn't eat dairy within 2 hours of taking the pill.
Had to take with food.
Just didn't work for me. This drug was crap, and now I've wasted over $120 bucks, AND my time. I'm getting married in 40 days and have just started birth control to try to clear up my skin, but I wish I hadn't wasted 8 months on doxycycline.
March 23, 2013
Pros:
This worked for a few months and it cleared my skin but it didn't last long; I think your body gets used to it and for it to continue to work you will have to increase your dose every so often.
Cons:
It takes time to see some results.
Acne comes back after you stop treatment.
If your acne is severe and cystic, don't waste your time with this crap, get Accutane. Accutane was my saving grace, I am now acne free FINALLY! I have tried other cheaper regimes that worked. My email: davidsmb07@[link removed]
March 22, 2013
Pros:
Clear skin
Cons:
Depression
I've had severe acne for 8 years. Nothing had worked. After taking Doxy for three weeks my skin was completely clear. However, I got majorly depressed andould cry for no reason. It isn't worth it.
March 20, 2013
Pros:
Completely cleared my acne after 3 months (as expected).
No extreme treatment needed.
Cons:
Need to remember to take twice a day with food.
My acne was incredibly severe - pimples everywhere, and they would never disappear. But after I took this after a week, I started seeing a difference. Then eventually after 3 months, my acne was completely cleared up. Huge improvement and relief.
March 18, 2013
Pros:
I had cystic acne and Doxycycline cleared my acne within a month! I have been taking for 4 years now and I have clear skin majority of the time. It has also cleared up my scarring because I have no new acne coming up onto my skin
Cons:
Although the pill works, it is very harmful to your body. If not taken with food I would throw up almost instantly after taking the pill. I have a hard time taking pills to begin with so I would occasionally feel the pill get stuck in my throat This lead to a HUGE problem. I have taken the pill consistently for 4 years, not always with food (before bed) I warn people to NOT DO THIS! Take it in the morning with food always!
My throat has felt blocked lately, and my stomach and right side of my chest were hurting. It kept getting worse where it was uncomfortable to eat, swallow and drink. I have been to 3 doctors and finally the hospital found out what was wrong. I have a rare side effect caused by this pill called: Esophagitis. This caused by taking the pill on an empty stomach where residue sticks to the lining in your throat and causes acid from your stomach to travel up your esophagitis. I am off the pill now!
March 18, 2013
Pros:
Had severe acne since early teens, just learned to live with it. I think it was about 7 years ago that I went to the dermatologist for something else, and he noticed my acne (which I figured they could not do anything about) and suggested I take doxy. I noticed a difference after about a week, in about a month I did not have a single pimple. After a couple months the doctor lowered my 'theraputic' dosage to a 'maintenance' dosage and the acne stayed gone. I still have the acne scaring, but n
Cons:
Possibly caused minor drying/flakiness around nose when the weather gets cold.
If you have acne, try this for at least a month.
March 18, 2013
Pros:
Cleared up acne completely after 4 months of use.
Cons:
Side affects are terrible.. My stomach is very sensitive to everything!
I took doxy 100mg a day along with aczone and my skin began to clear after 1 month. After 3 1/2 to 4 months it completely cleared. About 5 months of stopping this treatment I began to break out again.
March 10, 2013
Didn't do anything for my acne. I developed severe heartburn and esophagitis about 4 months in which can almost certainly be attributed to the drug. I wouldn't advise others against giving it a go. But make sure you take the pill with a glass of water and remain upright for some time afterwards to allow it to reach the stomach without wreaking havoc along the way! Personally, not being able to eat anything for two weeks has put me off ever taking this drug again, even correctly...
Pros:
Easy to take
Not overly expensive
No side effects