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
May 8, 2009
Cons:
Gave me cystic acne which i never had initial breakout right away.
Dont get me wrong it didnt work for me but i know tons of teens in my school who it worked amazingly for. I don't recommend this to severe acne which it wont really help, it might help a little with cystic acne.
April 15, 2009
Pros:
It works!! I am in my 40s with hormonal acne, and this helped more than any topical medicine.
Cons:
I did not have any stomach problems and I don't see any cons to this medicine at all. I love it.
I don't think any topical medication without an antibiotic will clear up acne...so this is a good way to go before trying Accutane. The side effects are minimal in comparison and it's worth a try!
April 12, 2009
Pros:
Easy to take.
Cons:
My stomach is going crazy right now. I am eating prior to taking but it can take my stomach a few days to get used to any medication. Also expensive because I have to meet a deductible.
Just started taking 2 days ago. I am taking this pill once per day along with Purpose face wash (which I have used for several years). I use Differin at night and Clindamycin lotion in the morning. I was very skeptical of taking and antibiotic due to issues it causes in woman. To prevent this problem...I am taking an Acidophilus supplement in the morning.
April 6, 2009
Pros:
- I was placed on a 100mg a day plan for my mild acne, and have noticed a big difference with my skin in the first week!
- Affordable
- Little and easy-to-swallow pills
Cons:
- At first i was very lax with the 'take with food rule'...and was rewarded with a very nauseus stomach. Now i take it with food and this is not a problem.
- So far I am happy. The results have been positive so far and it is only in the first week! I shall post again when I have been on it for a bit longer
February 17, 2009
Pros:
This completely cleared my skin. I used it with a tretinoid cream which made my face peel really bad but it turned out to be a good exfoliator and now my skin is smoother and less scared. I haven't had a zit on my face in a month. It's amazing.
Cons:
Really dried out my skin in the first month.
Totally worth it. A lot of people complain about side effects but I barely had any. I think the majority of people who take the antibiotic would agree with me. I'm so glad I did this.
January 13, 2009
Pros:
This sh*t works but you have to take it for atleast 2 months, and I did so taking the highest dosage(200mg a day). You will begin to notice pimples which come back in the same spot stop coming back at first. Its cheap and effective.
Cons:
Im 6'2 185 pounds and I threw up a couple of times. Despite this IT CLEARLY STATES THAT YOU TAKE IT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. if you must take it with food, only a couple of plain crackers will do.
Certain minerals and vitamins bind with the medication make it much less effective. The directions clearly say only take it with a lot of water, so I dont know what these people are saying "must take with food". Maybe thats why it isnt working for them. Overall this works, but expect to take it continually for 3 months before being totally clear.
October 19, 2008
Pros:
Works AMAZINGLY well to clear up my acne.
Cons:
Ate away at the lining of my stomach and almost caused me to have a hole in my stomach-- I was sick for months and in severe pain-- Now have to take new meds for 3 months to get my stomach mostly healed-- there may be long term effects.
I would never ever ever ever use this drug or tell someone to use it. It's great for clearing up acne, but NOT WORTH IT for the amount f pain I was in. I couldn't eat anything for weeks at a time, I threw up anything I ate, my stomach burned constantly, I had to put my entire social life on pause for 1 and a half months. I went to the hospital and the idiots there didn't do enough tests-- my doctor finally diagnosed it and determined what was wrong and got my on the right path. I have to take meds for 3 months, and I'm mentally scarred from the amount of sheer pain I was in. Don't take this drug.
September 23, 2008
Pros:
affordable, see results in a week
Cons:
if taken in a empty stomach wow you will throw up and get super dizzy n sick
ive been takin it for 15 days already n ive seen alot of improvement, nothing ever seem to help bu this antibiotic seems to my face is clearing up !!!!
August 7, 2008
Pros:
No real side effects, apart from a headache in the early days.
Cons:
My Doctor initially had me on 50mg once a day. I complained, citing I thought 50mg twice a day would give better results.
Please consult your Doctor regarding taking a higher dose - for me it was beneficial
Impressed! Works better than Minocyline did. Drinking a lot of water and eating healthy helps too.
July 28, 2008
Pros:
Within 5 days of using it I noticed a difference, in a matter of weeks my face has cleared fully, and I had serious acne
Cons:
Taking 100mg tablets once a day, difficult to remember to take them at same time due to variety in life in evening. After month and half, having possible case of oesophagitis, causing difficulty in drinking and eating but still worth using
Take at a suitable time of day, probably best at lunch or breakfast, eat a little or drink plenty when you take it to avoid the side effects. Side affects are always a possibility, but worth the risk and I don't regret my treatment
Pros:
Helped a little for breakouts and i would be pretty clear but acne kept coming back. No side effects just drink a ton of water and eat a couple bars before the pill you wont feel any stomach pains alot of what people say is exaggeration.