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
May 18, 2017
Early days yet
Early days yet. I went to my GP a week ago about my acne rosacea and he gave me a referral to a dermatologist, as well as something (Doxycycline) to treat my skin til I go to the derm. I've only been on it a week but I haven't experienced any side effects and I always take it with food, never on an empty stomach since you can develop stomach ulcers. Anyway, I'll keep you guys updated about my success and wish the best for me.
January 31, 2018
How did the doxycycline go? Did it help you please?
May 10, 2017
Doxy
I'm a 23 yr old female suffering from hormonal acne on my jawline (bad) neck and cheeks I have been on doxy now for 2 weeks. I haven't noticed much or any difference. Iv had two pretty bad break outs right as they start to heal BAM a new lot pop up.
I find that it makes my cystic acne on my jawline itch really bad. And dry lips
I will stick it out for the full course.
I have read so many mixed reviews but still hoping for the best
July 1, 2017
Hi, any update? 32 yo male just prescribed it because of my third or fourth cystic spot in a few months...
January 31, 2018
How did the doxycycline go? Thanks
January 21, 2014
Doxycycline antibiotics
Cons:
Made my skin dry and scaly for about a week and a half (couldn't even wear makeup as it would just flake)
Didn't work for me
Spent money on face cream and pills that I still have left over
Have had mild-severe acne for about a year now. Went to a dermatologist who got my taking doxycycline tablets twice a day (as well as face cream) and told me to come back in a month if I hadn't noticed any changes. Face was dry/scaly for about a week and a half. After a month of taking them I noticed no changes. Not only did I have the same red scaring dots, I was still getting bumbs on my face (acne). So for me personally it did not work as I think they were not strong enough. He has now put me on Bactrim and Epiduo gel. Hopefully that works.
October 28, 2013
Somewhat helpful
Pros:
Easy to take, once a day
Cons:
Extreme nausea if taken on an empty stomach
Stomach cramps that make you feel like dying
Moodiness / Depression
I've been using Apo-Doxy 100 mg in conjunction with Aczone topical gel, and together they've helped somewhat clear my skin. I do still break out, but my breakouts don't last as long; i'd start off with a bump and then (after spot-applying) Aczone, usually the pimple would disappear by the next morning. The acne on my back and chest have appeared to disappear (I don't use Aczone on those areas), so the pills are helping for bodily acne. But again, my facial acne hasn't completely disappeared. Update: I used this treatment for 3 months. I have now completed my treatment and I can say that I break out a lot less, but I still have a few acne scars. I also noticed that I was a lot more moody while I was on the medication, and felt depressed some days. Another important thing is the stomach pain that comes with it. About 2 months into my treatment, I would get really bad stomach pains -- almost ulcer-like. I was then given some Prevacid pills to take 30 minutes before the Apo-Doxy. The Prevacid helped a lot. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this treatment because my skin didn't really improve as much, which makes the suffering worthless.
October 27, 2013
Ok But Not Great
Pros:
Helped diminish scarring
Cons:
First round was awful
Increased whiteheads and cystic acne
I was on Doxy for two six week rounds. In the first round it did get a lot worse before it gradually got better. My moderate to moderately severe acne did get clearer in the second round, but the medicine had no effect on my cystic acne and only seemed to increase the number of whiteheads I got. My scarring though was greatly reduced, which I was very happy about. Overall I think this medication would have been better prescribed to someone with light to moderate acne.
October 18, 2013
A little skeptical
It appears this product has the same qualities as accutane but everyone has different reactions! Im 22 and had acne ever since i hit puberty pretty much, im currently taking antivirals and i don't really wanna combine antibiotics with antivirals. Doc prescribed Tactuo topical cream as well as doxy 100mg. I have cystic acne so every two weeks i get an injection of Kenalog steroids. To further help im going to be taking vitamin E supplements along with green tea extract to get rid of free radicals in my body. I will post again i about a month to further my progress.
September 19, 2013
this med did not work
Cons:
nausea
bad mood, light headed
doesn't even work
Oral Antibiotic Doxycycline was the worst acne med ive ever taken. This pill made me extremely nauseas for a long time after swallowing the pill, light headed, and did not even work on clearing up my acne. i have cystic acne and i've recently acquired in the past year due to stress and my acne is not visible at all its under my skin and the pill did absolutely nothing to help. I took this for 1 month and endured it until i couldnt take the nausea anymore, im switching to Bactrim. ill test that out and review the product soon.
June 14, 2013
Worth the Side Effects?
Cons:
Side Effects
My Dr. gave me a few weeks script of Doxy to jump start my acne clear up regimen. It helped to slow down the acne flair ups. However, it gave me a horrible side effect of a yeast infection. I stopped using it and of course my acne came back full force. So I began using the Doxy again, and 2 weeks in I got another yeast infection.
My Dr. switched me to a topical clindamycin, which I've been using for almost a year. HELPS! The Doxy, not so much.
June 7, 2013
Sort of helps
Pros:
Easy to take
Helps swelling redness and inflammation
Cons:
Doesn't help severe cystic acne
Or any sever type of acne
I tried every topical medication for acne but finally found out about doxycycline and was given it by my derm it helped me a lot because my acne was very swollen and infected using his brought down the swelling redness and inflation also helped my infection but didnt really help my acne itself😨
May 8, 2013
After stopping minocycline because it stopped working, My acne was pretty mild for about 3 or for classes then got really bad recently. I was prescribed Doxy 100mg three days ago, to take twice a day for 30 days. The first day was fine and the nausea was bearable as I'd learned to control it from Mino, but the second morning I threw up. I haven't vomited in almost 8 years...that's the end of that.
Pros:
Affordable