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
February 9, 2013
Cons:
Moderate spots still remain (personally for me along my T-zone) .
This IS NOT a miracle drug and in most cases probably won't give you clear skin after a couple of months of usage.
Very oily skin still remains during warm and humid days.
I was prescribed this encapsulated oral drug a couple of months ago and I have seen minor/moderate improvements. If you have very oily skin like myself then you will be quite satisfied with the results. As I've said this is not a miracle worker like everything you'll have to patient and wait out until you start to see its effects and even after taking the drug for as long as I have unless you're very lucky your skin probably won't fully be rid of acne, spots or blemishes.
November 21, 2012
Pros:
my skin is better
side effects very minimal
Cons:
took 2 1/2 months before acne started clearing up.
Don't like the idea on being on antibiotics
I am 39 and have been dealing with adult acne for 6yrs. now. I have tried so many products and nothing worked, I was starting to get really bummed and finally resorted to meds. The first month on Doxy was tough to get through - acne got worse. 2nd month it would come and go. I'm in my third month and I have a few pimples but it is way better then it ever was and I feel more confident about going out. The derm told me hormones are triggering the outbreaks and I would have to go on hormone meds too if I want to be totally clear. But not willing to do that at this point. I highly recommend taking probiotics when you are on Doxy to minumize side effects of drug and for overall health. Make sure you eat when taking the pill and drink plenty of water too. Gotta be patient with this drug. I just hope when I go off of it the acne doesn't come back, I don't want to be on meds forever! I recommend Doxy because it sure beats being depressed and feeling awful about myself. I'm glad I held out till month 3 to see some results.
November 6, 2012
Pros:
It's free at my pharmacy.
It's reduce all signs of cystic, blackheads, and whiteheads.
Cons:
It takes awhile to fully have some effect, I'm not sure how my skin will react when I don't take it anymore and frankly I'm a little worried, but hopeful!
Give it a try.
October 1, 2012
Pros:
cleared acne
Cons:
nausea inducing
caused gastric ulcers
dried out skin
difficult to swallow
This product did clear up my acne. However, it gave me very dry and flaky skin. It is also very hard to swallow! THIS PILL GOT STUCK IN MY THROAT, AND ERODED IT, CAUSING AN ULCER. I also had one stick to my stomach. It is one of the most painful things that has ever happened to me. I was on a liquid diet for months. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE SWALLOWING IT, STOP TAKING IT RIGHT AWAY.
September 29, 2012
Pros:
* My scars look better
* Slightly smaller pores
*Fewer whiteheads
Cons:
* Super dry lips ( I have to apply Vaseline like 10 times a day, because my normal Chapstick isn't moisturizing enough)
* Still bad breakouts ( only been using it for 4 days though)
* My face is red all the time
I've tried like 6 or 7 over the counter products, & my acne still looked horrible. So I head to a derm & she gives me doxy, cetaphil, atralin, & alcohol pads. I haven't seen a big improvement, but it hasn't been very long.
The pill is shaped oddly & was slightly hard to shallow ( or is that just me?).
September 4, 2012
Pros:
-Cheap
-Nothing so far yet, I guess I will have to be patient.
Cons:
-Dry Lips
-Bad Breakout at first
-Made me have low self-esteem and lowered my confidence
I am using the oral antibiotic Doxycycline with the topical cream, Adapalene (Differin). I started out with moderate acne, but after about a week and a half, I broke out bad, and can now classify it as moderately severe. Hopefully, it goes away as it has gotten me really down. I am in college right now and its hard for me to want to go to class. From other reviews, it seems it takes time, so I'll be patient. I'll keep updates on here
August 23, 2012
It made me to sick to use it long enough to see any results, but it is worth a try. Make sure you take it on a FULL stomach, otherwise you might get sick.
August 21, 2012
Pros:
- Cheap.
- Easy to take (small, no taste etc.).
Cons:
- Only works for a short length of time.
- Increases skins sensitivity.
In the first few months of taking Doxy there were amazing results. People were noticing the differences in my skin then when the 8 - 9th month began, i started getting moderately severe breakouts on my cheeks and chin. They've now moved down one side of my face and slightly down to my neck. My skins began getting as bad as it was before, if not worse.
August 15, 2012
Pros:
1) stop me getting big painful ance sores
2) did moderately control ance
3) easy to take
Cons:
1)made skin very sensitive, resulting on itchy sores on my thighs
2)made skin much worse as soon as you miss doses
3)sunburn easily :(
I had moderately bad ance, took doxycycline for nearly 2 years, and it did work quite well for the first year or so, however my ance never cleared up. Stopped for one month to see if it was causing the itchy little sores on my thighs.. it was.. But went back on since my ance became terrible again. But even on it I would still become covered in ance and recieve the odd big painful under-the-skin pimple once a month. Basically I think this treats the wrong cause for my ance personally.
Overall, it worked but not well enough. I've recently stopped taking it and plan on going to the docter to try something new, and I actually believe my skin is now worse than it ever was. And I've only been off it for a few days...
July 17, 2012
Pros:
Slowly clears acne
Cons:
1) Takes at least 2-3 months before you see any results.
2) Did make acne worse initially
3) Causes discharge.
4) Must also take Probiotics to prevent and cure discharge.
Profile:
28 yr old female
South Asian
Poor diet
Moderately Severe Acne, mainly cystic acne around chin and neck I was on Doxycycle 100mg/day for about 3 months. I noticed it BEGAN to work in the 3rd month. Initially it made my acne worse like I was told. However, by the fourth month I began to take Minocycline because I wasn't sure if Doxcycle was working (but it did) and Minocycline was stronger and supposedly works faster. Which it did but results only last 2- 3 months. I was back on Doxycycle 200mg/day by my 6 month but saw no results in the 1st and 2nd month of being back so I quit taking it. My derm said Doxycycle and Monocycline are beginner antibiotics.
Pros:
Skin is a little less oily during midday peaks of the day.
Bumps and roughness of the scars become less prominent after a couple of weeks of use.