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 10, 2013
Didn't do anything for my acne. I developed severe heartburn and esophagitis about 4 months in which can almost certainly be attributed to the drug. I wouldn't advise others against giving it a go. But make sure you take the pill with a glass of water and remain upright for some time afterwards to allow it to reach the stomach without wreaking havoc along the way! Personally, not being able to eat anything for two weeks has put me off ever taking this drug again, even correctly...
February 22, 2013
Cons:
Made me so nauseous that I could not take it
I took it for a couple of days, and it seemed to help my skin. But when I took it in the morning, I felt so awful that I would have to go attempt to vomit with nothing coming up. It may have been because I couldn't eat when I took it though. If you can tolerate it, give it a go.
December 23, 2012
Pros:
reasonably priced, some improvement
Cons:
found minocycline to be more effective than doxy and doxy is stronger and because of that i notice that i feel quite nauseous if I take it without eating a decent sized breakfast (up and go - which is like a flavoured milk with blended cereal in it in case its not called 'up and go' internationally - doesnt cut it neither does a slice of toast)
May help people who have no luck with minocycline. However do be patient with mino - it took 3 months for me to see improvement and 6 months for others to notice improvement on mino. Well worth the wait though. failing mino give doxy a go - they work very similarly though
September 10, 2012
Pros:
.cleared up my skin
Cons:
.if you don't take it with food, it gives you cramps
.takes about 2 months
it really works but takes some time
August 12, 2012
Pros:
Clear Skin!
Cons:
none
I've had acne thats just been getting worse for over a year, i ve tried several different creams and they have just made it worse. So I decided to try this. Ive been using it for over a week and i can see a big difference in my skin, the best its been in a long time! It even has cleared a lot of the acne on my chest and back! I can't wait to see how clear my skin will be in a month of use!
June 27, 2012
Pros:
none
Cons:
migraines, nausea, excessive tiredness
I started taking this to treat my acne, and not only did I not see any results, I suffered multiple side effects. Granted, I took the medicine only for a week or so, but had multiple migraines every day. Sometimes I could not get out of bed because they were so bad. I was EXHAUSTED as well. Almost immediately after I started taking it. Every time I took it I got nausea, and threw up twice.
May 4, 2012
Pros:
Cleared acne.
Cons:
Nausea and felt like puking if I didn't eat enough prior to taking this.
Did really good job at clearing my acne. I was prescribed this along with spironolactone, which works wonderfully. I can't remember the last time I didn't have to wake up to several new pimples. My face is pretty clear. Fast results. It's just annoying having to make sure that I eat enough or I'll feel sick for half the day.
April 12, 2012
Pros:
none
Cons:
used it for 2 months and it did nothing
does not help acne
March 26, 2012
Pros:
No new pimples.
Free, publix.
Cons:
-Nausea
-Throwing up
-Body pains
-headaches
It's working so well. No new pimples, it's healing the ones that I have. But, I am really sick all of the time. I missed my chemistry lecture twice this week because I was throwing up and had a headache. It's working amazingly, but at a very high cost, because I am always sick. Word of advice: The bottle says to take it without food. DO NOT DO THIS. I did, and I started dry heaving and throwing up the acids in my stomach, not fun. Take it with food, don't lie down after taking it, and get that tylenol ready because you'll need it. Also, drink hot tea, because this stuff keeps you from sleeping. It's such a good pill, works like magic, but it's whether you want to go through this or not. Luckily, the most you can take this is 1 year. I'm taking it for about a month, and then I'm getting an extraction because once they take everything out, it'll all be gone, then you're put on a roll of other antibiotics and creams that will prevent everything. Please be careful young women who are sexually active, if you get pregnant while using this your baby's life and your life can be threatened.
October 6, 2011
Pros:
- helped with cystic acne
- decreased number of active pimples
Cons:
- caused monthly yeast infection
- caused nausea if not taken with food
- didn't completely get rid of acne
I have been taking 100mg twice a day for a year now. It has done wonders for cystic acne but unfortunately I have to stop taking it because it has been causing me monthly yeast infections which are just getting miserable. I don't think it's really a long term fix, but if I would continue taking it I probably would. It helps decrease the amt of acne I've had, but definitely not a complete cure.
Pros:
Did help some