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
September 18, 2007
Cons:
None. I was never nauseated like everyone says.
Use Doxycyclline with something like benzaclin and a good moisturizer every day and your acne will be gone before you can say holy s**t.
August 29, 2007
Pros:
start seeing results in about a week or slightly more... easy to swallow and works pretty well at getting all the bacteria under your skin that can become a pimple out.
Cons:
doesnt work as fast as you would probably want it, if your young you need to take it with a meal or it can cause liver damage. Also its not like this 4 everyone but 4 me, it got worse before it got better. Using this alone without cleansers isnt good
use it but make sure you use topical products with it or wont work that well if not at all.
August 9, 2007
Pros:
easy to administer- just pop the pill
Cons:
antibiotic resistance-could cause other complications with future illnesses- could cause gram-negative folliculitis. VERY abrasive on stomach- and could cause a burn in the esophagus.
I've been on minocycline and tetracycline for about 5 years, then took 3 years off...so the new derm has me on dox-for mild acne. I cant tell if its working, honestly, because my back hasn't cleared up and I still get breakouts during monthly hormonal changes.
I am worried about gram-negative folliculitis, which is caused by the natural nasal flora reacting to long term antibiotics- causing disfiguring acne on the face. It is very rare, but still is a risk. after my wedding, I'm not taking antibiotics anymore for acne. I just want to be as clear as possible for that important day.
August 4, 2007
Pros:
Started to work immediately! Clearing started within a couple days of starting the pills.
Cons:
Tough on the tummy! Absolutely have to take with food or you will vomit
I've suffered with roseca/ cystic acne for 3 years, i've tried everything. As a last resort I went to my Dr insisting on Accutane, she convinced me to give this a shot first. I'm very pleased, it's been three weeks and no more bumps and swelling. However my skin is still flushed red in the healing process. Hopefully that will clear as well.
May 28, 2007
Pros:
No noticable side-effecs.
Cons:
Made my acne worse! I've been using this stuff for about 25 days and my acne has gotten about twice as bad. My chin is a war zone and I have gotten large/deep zits on my forehead. Before I used this, I never broke out on my forehead.
Don't use this stuff. I had hope of being clear for my Birthday, and I was given the opposite.
March 22, 2007
Pros:
None
Cons:
Didn't work...
My derm assured me Adoxa would clear my skin. I was on it for 2 and a half months, and my acne just got worse. It turned out, I had a hormone issue that was causing acne, which is why I was trying EVERYTHING and NOTHING worked. If you have tried EVERYTHING (including antibiotic), DON'T GO ON ACCUTANE UNTIL you get tested for a possible hormone prob. 1 in 20 women that suffer with acne suffer as a result of a hormone issue, so don't spend all this money on treatments when you could take medicine to balance your hormones, and you skin would clear.
February 18, 2007
Pros:
No queasiness (except for first time) or side effects.
Cons:
I still have acne all over my face. This product may have calmed it down a bit, but I haven't seen any results.
I supposed it just didn't work for me. My dermatologist said that Doxycycline has barely any effect on my type of acne (comedone).
November 12, 2006
Pros:
quich and easy
Cons:
makes you feel sich eh. and since taking it my skin just seems to be getting worse
don't even bother trying it, it makes your skin worse, bteer of sticking to simple cleansing
October 16, 2006
Pros:
Works great for really mild acne. Very powerful at low doses. Paired with benzoyl peroxide topical treatment, it can reduce acne lesions quickly. Also helps prevent new blemishses from forming, and if they do form, they are usually much smaller and
Cons:
You get sunburned really easily while using this. Can make your stomach hurt.
Great acne treatment for people with VERY MILD to MILD acne. Not so effective for moderate acne, and barely effective for cystic/nodular acne. Can have gastrointestinal discomfort (aka stomach ache), but that doesnt last long. Results vary from person to person. Does a good job of preventing new blemishses. Helps reduce redness, and can help other skin infections that you might have picked up from picking at blemishses. Can give you chapped lips. I highly recommend this for someone with very mild to mild acne, who just ones to get rid of acne once and for all.
October 8, 2006
Pros:
It works very well for about 6 months. Then I developed bacterial resistance to doxycycline.
Cons:
A test done in 2001 showed that 55.5% of the people developed bacterial resistance. [link removed]
The acne came back after about 6 months.
Works well for a while, but if you are unlucky it will become resistant like a flu virus and come back. Bacteria mutates and it is clear that it did. It's cheap, but temporary results.
Pros:
Product works well as a combination treatment along with a daily regimen. This combined with benzaclin and moisturizer cleared up my moderate acne entirely in less than 2 months and my skin looks like a baby's bottom.