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
November 26, 2009
Cons:
-Makes you TERRIBLY sick if taken on an empty stomach.
-Skin gets dry and flaky in spots.
After suffering through moderate acne for years, my doctor prescribed Doxy along with topical Erythromycin. It takes about two months to totally take effect, but once it does, its worth it. It does make your face slightly dry which is easily reversed through a moisturizer. If you take it on an empty stomach, it acts very fast and makes you feel horribly sick. This lasts for about two hours until it passes. It also seems to reduce my appetite. But overall, it is definitely worth it! My face looks and feels great!
November 21, 2009
Pros:
Cleared my cystic acne completely minus the odd spot. No scarring, but I also use a good moisturiser and Retin-A gel.
Cons:
The results aren't instant but are worth the wait. Moisturising twice a day is essential! Also, I found when trying to come off it my skin returns so I think it is only good for long term usage.
I have been on this for about a year and I previously suffered from fairly severe facial cystic acne which was embarrassing for a young girl, I'm now 20. This has given me really clear skin and it really was terrible before, I'm not exaggerating and now looking at me you wouldn't believe I have ever had acne. I didn't just have it in one area, although the face was the worst, I had light spots on my upper back, chest and the sides of my neck which is now all gone, I really would recommend this to anyone. I know how confidence knocking acne can be. Oh and below I'm guessing the price in dollars, I pay £7.10 a month (Brit).
October 30, 2009
Pros:
Mild reduction of some breakouts and redness. Generic was cheap.
Cons:
Didn't feel it worked too well. Can't take dairy products within 2 hours before or after.
Used in combination with Retin A. My skin hasn't cleared up too much at all. I've been doing readin about the tetracycline family, and have learned that p acnes (the bacteria that we want dead) have evolved to be resistant to this particular family of anti-bactirias. THis makes since since my dad had bad acne and took anti-biotics as a teen as well. But, the genirc (got mine from Target) was only like six bucks for a months supply, so I guess why not take it.
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 1, 2009
Pros:
It's cheap....that's it for now. I haven't experienced vomiting or sickness even on empty stomach like others have.
Cons:
I am only 5 weeks into this medication, and switched over from minocycline which lost effectiveness. I have since had 4 of the worst breakouts of my life. This was very discouraging. However this could easily be because of going off minocycline.
I have also had recurring dreams ie. sleep, dream, wake up - about 3-4 times on some nights. I hope this will stop soon. These initial breakouts are driving me crazy (I've been quite depressed, with needing to go to work in this condition). However I will give it a chance to get in the system for another 3-4 weeks and will post again. This 4th breakout is clearing slowly and I hope will be the last.
June 20, 2009
Pros:
None so far....
Cons:
After 6 days of taking it, I woke up with lots lf little spots all over my chest. Never had any there before!
I have had a weird spotty rash on one cheek only for 3 months. Doc has prescribed this (1 tab of 100mg a day for 2 months), but after one week I have not noticed a difference and in fact now have lots of little spots all over my chest, which I have never had before. Feel fed up and hope it will work soon :O(
June 6, 2009
Pros:
*Cheap for me.
*Has cleared the acne on my jaw line, chin, back, chest, and a little on my forehead.
Cons:
*No cons just yet. I work third shift, so I don't have to worry about the sensitivity to light thing. I take pill after I eat, with a full glass of water.
After a week it's working. My acne was starting to clear up anyways, but this has sped up the process. Just make sure you eat yogurt once or twice a day. Reason being, anti-biotics kill good and bad bacteria, and good bacteria helps fight bad bacteria. So, eating yogurt helps replace the good bacteria.
April 12, 2009
Pros:
it cut down on my acne immediately and also it made the stye on my eyelid go away within 2 days, I know if I had not taken it would have lingered for at least 1-2 weeks. I have bad food allergies and acne and seem to have breakouts amost daily
Cons:
bad stomach pains, red face like a sunburn, even though I work indoors all day long, flank pain, severe diarrhea last couple of days, nausea, appetite loss,
I have had bad acne for 10+ years, the doxy helped but I will never take it regularly. It is not worth the side effects, even if I could get it for cheap from my insurance or my family. I don't think this drug is a cure since you have to keep taking it for it to work. Unfortunately for me my body and stomach is too sensitive. I would rather put something on my acne like a cream or powder rather then abuse my body w/this stuff. I have been taking 100 mg 2'xs daily for 1 week. It worked great on my stye on my eyelid which was forming, but I will not take it again unless I get another stye on my eye. If you do not have alot of other health concerns already then it may be good for you, but it sure wasn't for me. I got a sunburn yesterday while outside, and now I have a couple of cyst formations. It didn't knock me out like Zyrtec does, (also overrated) but I wouldn't give either one to my dog and will try natural treatments primarily in the future.
February 27, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up the acne on my face
Cons:
Caused Acne on my chest
I started using Doxycycline in September 2008. I used it for 2 months and my face cleared up but I started to break out on my chest. The bumps were very tiny but everywhere. I stopped using the product and they went away. I asked my Dr. and he said that it shouldn't have casued my chest to break out. I just started back on it again about 2 weeks ago and once again I am getting these little bumps on my chest which confirmed that it is the doxycycline causing the bumps. Anyone else had these issue's??
January 9, 2009
Pros:
Face cleared up a little.
Redness went down a little as well.
Pretty cheap.
Cons:
Takes a really long time to start working.
Some nausea.
Age: 19
Male Doxycycline takes a long time to start working. I was on it for a month and was also given Differn to put on at night by my Doctor. I coudln't take this medicine on an empty stomach or else I would become nauseas and uncomfortable for about an hour or so. After a month there wasn't much of a change and my Doctor took me off of it and told me to see a Dermatologist and talk about Accutane. Hopefully Accutane works, i've read a lot of great reviews for it. I'm only going to recommend this item because it did work a little and everyones skin is different so for some it could possibly work better.
Pros:
-Really, really works.
-Cleared up face, neck, and back