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
January 11, 2009
Cons:
breaking my skin out like crazy! acne is actually much worse than before I started taking it. worried about using it with the Tanda blue light therapy for acne.
taking it for other reasons - hoping it's not a permanent change in the condition of my skin 4 bucks at target
December 22, 2006
Pros:
Works excellent for about 5 months. Clear skin the next day! No zits. Just when you think you've been cured....
Cons:
Acne hits! never take when hungry or empty stomach. Reduces the amount of minerals and vitamins taken up naturally by the body.
This is the best temporary thing. It works for a few months and then blamo! Acne is back in full swing. I had perfect skin for 5 months and then it came back worse then I had ever had it. I had mild acne now I have moderate. Thanks for nothing. The doctor even upped it to two pills a day. No avail.
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:
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.
February 10, 2013
Pros:
Cleared up my acne
I actually felt confident about my skin for the first time ever
Breakouts were easily controlled
Cons:
Cant stay on it forever, health risks
Takes about a month to start actually working
Doctor put me on this last year, did nothing much for a month... then bam! My skin just got better and better, it would heal from pimples super fast and my skin had never been as good. Had no probs with nausea as I took with food and sat upright after taking the pills. I'm trying the pill now instead as a more long term solution, hopefully it works as well!
November 12, 2012
Pros:
Affordable.
Helps with the inflamation.
Got to be patient.
Cons:
takes a while for some people.
dryness on lips.
I'm a 24yo male. I never had ANY acne problem until I got 20. Before that I had a VERY clean face. Then I had a HORRIBLE BREAKOUT I visited the derm 1 year after that (horrible mistake), and she prescribed me Tetracycline(I was asking for accutane but she told me that my acne wasn't that bad) and it helped a lot but not entirely. I took it for 6 months. Now I have 4-6 cystic acne lessions, and some Post inflammatory hyper pigmentation. I had a visit with a different Derm 7 days ago. She prescribed me Doxy for a month taking 100mg a day. The second day I got a cyst near my nose, and one near my lip. I got upset because of that, but this morning i woke up and... I think it's improving. This is my last try before going for Accutane. I'm going to keep you guys updated in a few days. And good luck, this website helps a lot because all the information and reviews but, if you have an acne problem PLEASE go to the Dermatologist. Even if you have to save some dollars, and not going anywhere on the weekend. Your face worth it.
October 3, 2012
Pros:
-Cleared up acne completely within a month and a half
-Hardly any pimples while on Doxy
-Made any appearing pimples smaller/less inflamed/healed quicker
Cons:
-Increased skin sensitivity
-Started to lose effectiveness after about 7 or 8 months.
I was put on Doxy about 7 months ago to use in conjuction with Epiduo gel. After about a month and a half, my acne was gone. This combination kept my skin very clear for about 7 or 8 months. Now, my acne is starting to return. It is still mild, probably milder than when I first stayed Doxy, but the Doxy unfortunately has lost its effectiveness. I'm now looking into trying another antibiotic to keep my acne away.
August 15, 2012
Pros:
Within the first two weeks of taking this antibiotic I noticed a substantial difference in my skin, especially on my shoulders and back. More breakouts didn't occur. My scarring seems to be fading as well and I'm in my second month of treatment.
Cons:
Cam disrupt good bacteria.. I would eat yogurt to help with this. Haven't had any stomach issues since.
Great antibiotic for moderate to severe breakouts. My routine also follows using neutrogena grapefruit body wash and grapefruit exfoliating cleanser for the face. I also moisturize with neutrogena oil free moisturizer with SPF 15.. I have not experienced any dryness on the skin from using these products. To also help with my back issues they prescribed me an antibacterial foam which is also helping. The cost is my copay based on insurance.
June 22, 2012
Pros:
Easy to take
Clears face 90%
Cons:
Takes a month
Bad yeast infection
Really bad initatal break out
I am going to tell you my whole month experience so far, well start out my acne is moderate serve, and i start doxycycline and the next day or two i notices my acne looking much worse and for the next 2 weeks it continued i was going to stop, but i kept going ang and the fourth week i was so clear. So dont give it up... The breakout at first will be bad alot of white heads where u dont normaly get them or way more then will go away after the fourth week
April 1, 2012
Pros:
it works, and fast for me!
little to no side effects when taken with food.
CHEAP at walmart pharmacies.
Cons:
sensitivity to sunlight
having to take it everyday
can't work forever!
i had been strugging with acne since i was in my teens. i kept it under control with a topical gel until i started shaving regularly. then i developed inflammatory acne and topical gels just didnt cut it. well, fast forward to a few years later. i am now 25 years old and after figuring visiting a dermatologist was an investment for my self esteem, i was prescribed this antibiotic. i take 1 a day at 100mg. within a week of taking it, my acne cleared up almost completely (with one or two zits popping up when i shave). i've been on it for a month now and it still works just as good. my face is clear now, no longer bright RED and i just feel better and more confident with myself. i take this once a day and wash my face with neutrogena transparent bar soap. couldnt be happier!
Pros:
seems to be helping iwth my sinuses/bronchitis