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 7, 2013
Is it workinnnng ?
Cons:
Very slow-working
Have to be consistent...
It's an okay product. I have a horrible habit of picking (need to break it) which throws off the results of the medicine, obviously. It sort of works when I completely leave skin alone, but it doesn't work wonders. It takes foreeverrrr to kick in, and its not a miracle product. I've heard its supposed to work on body acne, but I have seen no results.
August 15, 2013
First thing that worked for me
Pros:
Cleared up skin fast
First antibiotic that worked on me
Cons:
Huge Pill
Have to take with food
Eventually stops working as well
I was prescribed Doryx 150 mg last summer after I went on ortho-tricyclen lo for which completely messed my skin up. This was the first thing that actually worked for me! I was 14 at the time and now I am 15. I started to see results with this antibiotic within days of taking it and I finally felt confident again. I was on it until December and my dermatologist brought me down to half the pill. I wasn't happy about it but with antibiotics you cannot stay on it for long since your body gets immune to it. My skin was clear but I started to get mild breakouts and eventually he brought me down to 1/3 of the pill and that's when I started to break out a lot more. It could clear up your skin really well but it won't last forever. Now I am still on the birth control and off the doryx and planning to go on accutane. I am taking ampicillin 500x mg, twice a day and my skin isn't doing bad.. also I have my last day tomorrow of red and blue light therapy. So, now I am just waiting to go on accutane & praying it will cure me. If you haven't tried an antibiotic that works for you, really consider this drug because it can help you but for only a certain period of time.
July 26, 2013
price jump
I started using this because my insurance wouldn't cover minocycline for acne anymore. The minocycline works better, but this drug works almost as well. The problem is that it was economical, but now the price is around $100 for 30, 50mg. pills. Since the price increase my insurance stopped covering this drug for acne as well.
June 17, 2013
puke
Eat when you take this. I forgot once and I threw up in class.
June 12, 2013
If I'm on it FOREVER .... great!?!
Pros:
effective as long as I'm taking it
Cons:
recent price increase
for me, required long term use
long term risks associated w/ antibiotics
This worked great for my cystic acne. Used it twice for extended periods of time (6 months & then 1 year). Just recently discontinued use 2 weeks ago. Exactly as with what happened the last time, not even 2 weeks later ..... 4 PAINFUL, CYSTIC pimples have already appeared on my chin (all within the last 3 days) .... and I have a huge social function to attend this weekend. I know long term antibiotics are potentially dangerous because of the possibility of drug resistant microorganisms; but ...... I WANT MY ANTIBIOTICS BACK!!!!
June 9, 2013
not impressed
Pros:
totally cleared up acne for about a year
Cons:
acne came back
very harmful to the body kills off all good bacteria naturally found in gut which allows bad bacteria to flurish, which may contribute to acne
this stuff is the same as any medication, it will work for a while but your acne will eventually come back.
May 7, 2013
Pros:
Easy to take
Cheap
Just the miracle pill I needed
Cons:
Have to take a big meal with it
Took a month or two to work
I've had acne (moderate/severe) for about 8 years now, but lately I started breaking out badly on my forehead. Then, on my chin and cheeks. I was so fed up with it, and had to find a solution because I didn't want it to get worse. So, I went to a dermatologist and she prescribed me Doxycycline. I took 100 mg once a day. It took a while (1-2 months) for it to work, so be patient. First, I broke out like crazy, then after a while it cleared up. Now, I am on my third month of taking it and I am very pleased with the results. I am acne-free, but every time I forget to take my prescription (let's say for two or three days) I get a zit or two, so I am a little hesitant to get off my meds, because I know it will come back to haunt me again.
March 22, 2013
Pros:
Clear skin
Cons:
Depression
I've had severe acne for 8 years. Nothing had worked. After taking Doxy for three weeks my skin was completely clear. However, I got majorly depressed andould cry for no reason. It isn't worth it.
March 18, 2013
Pros:
Cleared up acne completely after 4 months of use.
Cons:
Side affects are terrible.. My stomach is very sensitive to everything!
I took doxy 100mg a day along with aczone and my skin began to clear after 1 month. After 3 1/2 to 4 months it completely cleared. About 5 months of stopping this treatment I began to break out again.
October 28, 2012
Pros:
It REALLY works!
It is consistent and it cleared up my skin.
Cons:
Huge, daily pill. And if you forget it for more than a day or two, I tend to break out.
Headaches is a side effect, and i have had some but its an ok price to pay for great skin.
I've always had a little bit of acne, but it was never too bad. I would break out twice month, usually before and after my period and then i would have decent skin for a week or two. But my skin has always had a hyper pigmentation after a blemish. december 2011 my skin took a turn for the worse and by May my skin had cystic acne, lot of pigmentation was pretty bad. My derm put me on the generic (doxycycline) at first, but that made me sick so i switched and Doryx doesn't. It takes time, but by september my skin is pretty much all clear. It GREAT! I sitll get a blemish or two on my period or if i sleep in makeup, but its not NEARLY as bad and goes away much quicker, and i've learned not to pick at them! I also use Ziana, which i really like, and Aczone which really cleared up the redness and pigmentation (but Aczone takes time, but works wonders). My back was also pretty bad, like i was embarrassed to wear any shirt that exposed my back. My back is completely clear now. Doryx is amazing and it just takes time! Bottom line, started in may and im clear in september, with each week getting better. By the way, I have insurance and the cost of the prescription is usually $60, but my derm gave really great coupon card from the manufacturer and it only costs 25 for a month supply. Just ask the doctor for one!
Pros:
Clears up some acne
Redness lessens
Cheap!