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
March 26, 2008
Cons:
I have to take with a small meal, or else it will upset my stomach. Also can't drink milk for an hour before or after taking it, which bothers me because I drink a lot of milk.
Not sure if it will clear up my face completely. But for me it's worth a try, since nothing else will work.
March 12, 2008
Pros:
Works well you keep taking it!
Cons:
As soon as I stop my acne comes back!
always eat before taking them, otherwise you may have stomach issues. I Take it to control my acne, but I still use some tropical medicine like Tazorac. It is not a cure, but at least it help keep your face clean.
March 11, 2008
Pros:
Cleared my skin of pimples. The only thing that has ever worked for me.
Cons:
Rash and very sensitive skin. Plus the idea of being on antibiotics for that length of time
Antibiotics really worked for me BUT the first month it got worse. It took 6 weeks to see the difference and then my skin was completely clear for 2 months until I had a break. 2 months later my skin has broken out again so I'm considering tryn again. You do need to stick with it for a couple of months at least.
February 27, 2008
Pros:
I can't realy tell, had just 2 pills
Cons:
side effect
I had really bad side effect - pain in stomach and upper stomach, going to my back, so stopped taking after second pill so can't really write review on it. Just if someone else have the same side effect - after 3 days of pain and no sleep I read on internet that APPLE juice helps - so run to shop, bought the freshest apple juice possible and that's all I drunk for the rest of the day - and it HELPED!!! NO food, just apple juice until the pain goes.
I will try to take it again in two or three weeks after I sort out my stomach, the problem might be that I ate it with sandwich and loads of vegetable, so I would say you have to take it with something more substantial - massive jacket potato, steak, lasagne, something that fills your stomach.
February 9, 2008
Pros:
It's very cheap.
Cons:
Makes you sick on empty stomach... hard to remember to take (though that's the same with every medicine)
It hasn't seemed to do anything for me, and I've been using it almost religiously for the last 25 days. I have been taking it every morning with cereal and milk, and just found out dairy is bad for it, so I'm going to stop taking it with milk. I also have gotten sick with it, once throwing up, twice now in the past month. It is sharp pains in the stomach and nausea... definitely bearable, though, if it means clearer acne!
January 28, 2008
Pros:
works very well and really cheap
Cons:
can cause stomach burning
works well (doxycycline) and it's cheap (30 days worth of pills for only 10 bucks). been taking them for 2 months, and saw results immediately. then after a month, i slacked off in following the recommended dosage, and the pimples came back immediately. so you should follow the directions to the letter! also, it can cause severe ``burning'' in your stomach when taken on empty stomach. and don't drink milk or eat any dairy product (anything with calcium) within one hour before and after taking it, since it can reduce the amount of the drug absorbed into your body. i have also drank once in a while with this medicine, and that has not been a problem, but i recommend you ask your doctor first. overall, it's very effective drug, and it would be the first drug i prescribe if i were a doctor. however, the effectiveness of this drug wears off after a few months.
January 20, 2008
Pros:
This antibiotic worked very well for me for about 3 years. But the effects gradually began to wear off and my acne got bad again. My skin looked gorgeous for a while, but I eventually developed resistance.
Cons:
effects wear off and acne gets worse
It's worth using but don't expect it to work forever.
January 14, 2008
Pros:
In combination with Duac, almost completely cleared up my acne. You're supposed to take it with food, but it doesn't even bother me if I don't. No side effects so far.
Cons:
For one, it's an oral antibiotic, which is unsustainable for many reasons. It can seriously mess up your stomach, and cause resistant bacteria.
For two, it didn't work until I started using Duac too.
I take doxycycline 50mg/day. It didn't start to work until I began using Duac. So I can't be sure that the doxycycline is doing any of the work.
The price I paid is a subsidised price, since I live in New Zealand. It may be astronomically more expensive in the States.
January 12, 2008
Pros:
When I first started using this product just over a year ago my acne reacted well and I had many days with out my spots, which was great.
Cons:
I occasionaly had an upset stomach with these tablets.
Doxycycline was a good short term fix and I was greatfull of it at the time it was working, but like most things you become immune and then it is time to find something else, but it was good while it lasted.
January 7, 2008
Pros:
15 yr old son is taking 75 mg 1xday- 2 weeks now. Face and back really looking good. No side effects yet. Although is is winter - not alot of sun.
Cons:
I am concerned about extrinsic staining of his teeth. Was told he would not have this problem because of his age. But I did a search on the internet and saw a few cases of teeth staining in adults. Will be discussing this with our dentist.
Seems to be working great. In combination with Benzaclin and Tazorac. Worried about teeth staining with long term use. Check with your Dentist prior to use.
Pros:
I have been taking it for 3 weeks. 100mg twice daily. I am already starting to see a difference. My face is still very broken out. But there are some spots that are starting to feel smooth.