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
July 18, 2008
Cons:
It only worked for about 3-4 months...then it suddenly stopped.
For the time it lasted, it worked wonders for eliminating pimples. I'm trying other medication right now, and I can only hope I can eventually go back to this instead. Plus I guess I have a tough stomach because I never had any problems in that sense.
July 16, 2008
Pros:
very cheap
Cons:
it seems as if my face is getting worse
ive been taking doxycycl 50mg for 4days and havent seen any improvement. However my dermatologist said it gets worse before it gets better. :/ no side effects so far although you might want to have a snack before.
Hopefully it kicks in soon!
June 29, 2008
Pros:
My grandmother just told me the other day that it seems like my skin is starting to clear up.
Cons:
Bad diarrhea!!
I've only just started using it. I'm trying to get used to taking it twice a day. Doctor has only approved my use of it for 3 months and then he's gonna check where we're at from there. I haven't had the yeast problems yet (which is surprising because of all this heat!!) My outlook on this is good though because my face doesn't hurt anymore and I'm not waking up with the swelling either. The morning I called my doctor and he prescribed me this, I woke up with a pimple right under the left side of my lip and it swelled my lip so much that I looked like Shrek and I started crying because I didn't want to go to work with my bottom lip stuck so far out. This was after using Proactiv and every other OTC product and homemade remedy under the sun since I was a preteen. Anything that's going to stop that from happening is ok in my book. I'm a 27 yr old mother and the last thing I need to worry about is the cystic acne on my face.
June 22, 2008
Pros:
It helps in that is keeps the zits from taking over, but it doesn't ever completely clear
Cons:
having to remembre to take it twice a day!
worth a shot
May 2, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up most of my pimples in a two weeks.
Only one a day, 100mg.
Cons:
Everyday except one I've had stomach issues, your basic diarrhea. The only day I didn't have watery stools the day after I had brown rice. Perhaps brown rice is the key.
It works but great it is a trade off with stomach issues. I take probiotics and still get rrhea.
Doryx is supposed to better on the stomach than Monodox but its only slightly. I don't like that a possible side effect is darkening of your teeth --I'll monitor that closely as that's a trade off I do not want. I tried this after the natural route which didn't work for me.
March 26, 2008
Pros:
None
Cons:
Did absolutely ZIP for me. Used this for about 2-3 months with nothing to show.
Weak antibiotic, doesn't work.
February 28, 2008
Pros:
Very affordable
Cons:
Dosage of up to several months, stomache pain, dizzyness.
Im taking doxy together with Tretinoin for around 1 mnth and a half. First 3 weeks a got HEAPS of breakouts and ITCHY skin. ( My skin couldnt handle it, had a 1 week break) The break helped alot, when i started the routine again my skin was much tolerate. Atm alot of the bumps have gone, i have the left over scars along my jaw line and continue to get zits every now and again. I understand this could take months to fully heal. Bottom line: It did help to conrol my acne, another 4months to go!!!
February 8, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my acne when i was in high school after a few months. Inexpensive.
Cons:
-It takes a while to work.
-Best way to take it is eat a good sized meal, and then wait about 2 minutes and then have a water bottle handy, otherwise it may cause nausea.
-Drys out skin if not using a moisterizer
I have tried it all, and this seemed to be the best so far. As long as you follow the directions and understand the precautions, there should be no reason it wont work for you.
January 16, 2008
Pros:
slowwwwww, may not even work for my type of acne
Cons:
takes too long to make a SLIGHT improvement if at all
I have had acne terribly ever since I was 16, I am 28 now. The ONLY thing that has worked for me is Accutane. It is very very strong though, during the first few days I took it I woke up itching everywhere and it dries out your face real bad, ESPECIALLY your lips, your lips will look and feel different. BUT IT WORKS EXTREMELY WELL, after 1 month of taking a pill every day you will see a HUGE difference. The government has tightened up restrictions on taking the drug, you have to get a blood test every month. Talk to your doctor about it, but if you have bad acne as I do that is the only thing your body will respond to, you have to fight tough with tough. Your doctor will put you on a 5 month treatment but the drug is so powerful I stopped after 1 month and now he doesn't want to prescribe it back to me, he gave me Doxycycline which does nothing for my acne. I actually argued with him and told him I wasn't ever coming back because he just wants me to keep paying the $40 copay for a medi
December 30, 2007
Pros:
Helped clear ALL cystic acne and those annoying clusters of small pimples on jawline and chin. I couldn't be happier :)
Cons:
Upset stomach if not eaten with food (or enough food)
I am 22 and had a sudden breakout to the point where my face actually hurt because I could feel the acne grow. I thought I was getting severe adult acne when my doctor told me I actually had a staph infection. She gave me this antibiotic and my skin cleared up better by the day until 3 weeks later my acne had vanished. I get small insignificant pimples around my period, but other than that all the cystic acne has not returned.
This antibiotic may not work for everyone depending on their case of acne, but it is worth a try to see a doctor and perhaps, like me, you may have a clinical skin irritiation that can be releived by an antibiotic. Just be sure to take the doses as appropriatly needed and that you stick to it for as long as it recommends. I only used it for 3 weeks and stopped so I did't become immune to it.
I know it is tough to go through a severe breakout, I couldnt look at myself in the mirror nor go out in public. Don't give up, and try to be confident in yourself. :)
Pros:
Worked great for me. I didn't have a single deep pimple while using it, and it reduced redness.