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
November 10, 2009
Cons:
a little upset stomach/diahhrea, but its worth it because the results are great so far.
just to clear things up, your doctor and/or pharmacist says not to take with food and to leave time before and after you take it (about 2 hours of not eating), and this is because doxycycline molecules attach themselves to calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, and zinc molecules, making it harder for your body to absorb the medication. i went to my dermatologist today and he said that its not dangerous to take it with food. the other problem with taking it with food is that you could take it with milk and think you got enough calcium for the day, but your body didn't absorb it very well. so my doctor also told me to take 1000 mg calcium supplements (1 per day) and to make sure to take it away from the time of taking doxy. this pill isnt for everyone and works differently for everyone, but its worth a shot. just make sure you understand the directions, and dont freak out if you get a few side effects.
November 7, 2009
Pros:
Dries up acne fast. Doesn't make me nautious. Used it last year, so I know it will work.
Cons:
Leaves acne scars...Makes me red.
I used to take this medicine last year when I had severeee acne. Red everywhere and huge cysts. I took this with Yaz birth control, Duac Cream, Retin A Micro, and Doxycicline. In 6 months I was completley clear. However, it started to come back this year... So i thought it was the birth control, so now I am taking Tri Lo Sprintec since Ortho was too expensive. Ive been on that for 3 weeks and I'm back to taking Doxy with all the other creams. It dries out my acne but I still get cysts... i have a bunch of horrible scars and hoping they will fade away... Don't give up guys! it takes months for some people to have it be cleared. My acne was so bad that my dermatologist had no hope.. and when it cleared he told me he was completley suprised and in shock. This is my second time going through it.. I know how you all feel but DONT GIVE UP. Its a struggle and it does cause depression but you will get through it :) Ill come back to update in 3 months
November 7, 2009
Pros:
Starts to work immediately and no new pimples form in that first week of taking it. After a week my acne is fading and the cystic acne stops cold- no pain or inflammation.
Cons:
Must be taken with a little food, some doctors say an hour before eating or 2 hours after eating for absorption reasons, and then some say it doesn't matter. I eat it with toast. Can cause upset stomach and a nauseaus feeling if taken without food.
Doxycycline is the fastest way for me to clear my skin. I don't take it for more than 6 months at a time because I'm aware of the negative effects of taking antibiotics for a long period of time, but it is a quick fix, for me that is. Once I get off of Doxy, my skin stays clear for about 3 months and then I notice a slow progression of acne. That may be related to the antibiotic or just stress.
November 5, 2009
Pros:
clears up blind pimples fast and cystic acne .
Cons:
nausea take with food dont take with antiacids or milk or iron tabelts it can cause stomach pains and bowel upsets also known to make joint pains worst if you have arthritis or a auto immune disease like lupus.
im 20 yr old female sick of acne would recomend giving this a go my doctor told me it takes aleast 3 monthes to truly work ive been on it for a month so still waitimg to see.
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
November 1, 2009
Pros:
I had only minor acne which only showed up on my cheeks and chin but. cysts started to form so I told my doctor to prescribe me something! I noticed major improvements within the first week but (see con)
Cons:
My acne did a turn for the worse! Haven't had this bad of a breakout ever. Hopefully it's just running its course and it'll all clear up soon!! It's only been a month so I'm praying.. I'm also taking differin too..
I agree with taking with the food. The first day I took it without food and I was food.. next day... HORRIBLE!!! Very bad Nausea and threw up. ~_~
October 25, 2009
Pros:
works wonders, after taking this for 3 months i've not had major breakouts
Cons:
nausea, and sometimes vomiting. you have to eat something before you take this.
works great, but just eat something prior to taking the pill.
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.
October 8, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne very well. I'm also using Duac. My supply of pills has been gone for about a week and (see cons)
Cons:
my acne is back after stopping taking the pill, full force. I have seven at one time right now, which is more than I've gotten the whole time I was on it. Must continue use for results. Sometimes makes me feel sick, threw up once.
I didnt know which medication was making my skin clear up, Duac or Doxy, but I see that now I've stopped taking Doxy, my acne is back. I think the combination of them together really helps. I've noticed that while on Doxy and Duac, my breakouts were smaller, lasted for much less time, and were less frequent. I'm going to go back on the pill. Honestly, I will take them for the rest of my life if I have to to clear my acne, but I dont know if thats safe. I dont see how they expect you to keep seeing results after stopping with it, that just doesnt make sense to me. Note: I dont know how much it costed, I didnt pay for me, my mom did.
October 7, 2009
Pros:
Clears acne within a week and a half
Cons:
Make my stomach slightly upset with food. Makes me vomits uncontrollably without food.
Please Please take this with something i stopped taking it for a while and I decided to start taking it again and this time with out (dumb) food and within 15 min I was vomiting all over the place!
Pros:
all the cyst acne i had are gone, so no more pain from that.also no new acne. yay!