Oral Antibiotic
Reviews
3.4
1734 Reviews
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
56%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Oral Antibiotic
Side Effects
Medium-High
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.
Read All About Doxycycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
20.7%
4
32.9%
3
22.1%
2
12.7%
1
11.5%

Used Doxycycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 19, 2007

Pros:

No side effects at the moment

Cons:

Isnt working for my acne, kind of got worse (maybe it will get better after this)

i am on 50mg doryx, taken daily. my usual acne seemed to have developed into cystic acne, but it varies from time to time. i have taken doryx for about 50 days and nothing seems to be happening. or actually it might have turned a bit worse. i will finish my course (75 more days) then i will leave another review. but doryx doesnt seem to be working on me at the moment.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 26, 2007

Pros:

Works great after 3 weeks of use. Does make you burn sensitive, but actually allowed me to tan better!

Cons:

Acne came back within 2 weeks of going off Doxy after both times I used it. Does caused some nausea at first, but got better.

may work, but still come back when done. i don't know how to get rid of this stuff on my face.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 20, 2007

Pros:

Works well if taken as directed and results seen just after a few days.

Cons:

Major nausea is felt if taken on an empty stomach, and you have to drink alot of water with this medication

This works, my face has cleared up w/ in 3 weeks, and i had moderate acne. Still get occassionaly white heads, but no more of the ugly red, painful break outs that leave scars. Worth the try, and it is covered by insurance.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 18, 2007

Pros:

this stuff is great at first it wasn't working but now its like magic..give it sometime..

Cons:

if u don't eat stomach hurts.if u get off it acne could come back..im off it but i actaully don't have acne come out often anymore.

i had severe acne who would have though this stuff works i recommended this product to anyone ask ur doctor.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 21, 2007

Pros:

Starts to work after 3-6 weeks, cleared up my cystic acne

Cons:

Nausea if not taken with a meal snack. I have also noticed my skin itches a lot despite moisturizing. I also get frequent diarrhea/soft stool.

Always take with a meal. If you don't mind the minor side effects it will work really well.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 9, 2007

Pros:

honestly, i wouldn't know. i was only on the meds for a month before i tossed em.

Cons:

extremely abrasive chemical. i didn't take the pills with enough water and after two weeks of excruciating pain, found out they had burnt a hole in my esophageal lining. can interfere with birthcontrol effectiveness.

always take with a full glass of water & never right before bed. the drug can irritate stomach/esophageal lining-that's what causes the vomiting in some cases. in the three weeks that i was on the doxy i had yet to see any changes, and i suppose i'll never know what could have been because i am for sure steering clear of it from now on. that's not to say it's not worth a try, just make sure you know all the facts about how to take it and when etc.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 21, 2007

Pros:

SLOWLY CLEARS UP THE BAD STUFF ESPECIALLY FORHEAD. USING BENZOIL PEROXIDE TOO

Cons:

RED SHINY FACE SOMETIMES

ITS GOOD I JUST HOPE IT DOESNT STOP WHEN I GO OFF IT.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 17, 2007

Pros:

none

Cons:

made me break out in whole new places. i still have the scars on my cheeks from taking this stuff. i stopped breaking out there after i stopped taking it. and no it didn't stop my breakouts in the usual areas.

for me it was about as crappy as it gets. guess it works for some people.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 16, 2007

Pros:

acne got a tiny bit better, but nothing significant. dermo thought it didn't do anythign.

Cons:

if i didn't take it with food i would feel sick to my stomach, so i would always take it at night. basically, it just didn't work.

pretty worthless in my opinion. plus, should you stop taking it, your symptoms reappear, and you shouldn't take antibiotics for that long due to bacteria becoming immune
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 2, 2007

Pros:

cleared me up completely

Cons:

wore off

cleared my acne completely for about 5 months, but then my acne came back....much much worse then before. i would reccomend avoiding antibiotics because they will wear off.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.