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 10, 2008
Cons:
This pill often made me extrmemly sick. I didnt see any difference in my acne.
I recall throwing up in a hallway at my job because of this! I took it for over a month and I still have mild acne. I switched to tetracyclin since its easier on the stomach and I hope it works.
May 5, 2008
Pros:
Works for a few months, can be totally clear for weeks at a time.
Cons:
Stops working eventually, and the acne comes back suddenly and with a vengence. Made the skin from my neck upwards much darker.
While it works, it's good. But it did make the skin from my neck upwards much darker. I don't know if that's photosensitivity or what, but when I'm topless, my body is a pale yellow/beige colour, but my neck is this dark, slightly reddish colour. It's actually really unpleasant. It actually looks like a make-up line. I would recommend this only as an interim medication, not for extended use. Two or three months at the maximum.
April 29, 2008
Pros:
Within days I saw a durastic difference, at this point all of my cystic acne is completely gone.
Cons:
None, really.
I first tried a different antibiotic that gave me terrible side effects so I was very cautious about trying a new pill, but for me Doxycycline has really worked wonders. When I started taking the pills my cheeks, chin, and forehead were covered in cystic acne and within one week the severity had gone down considerably, and now two months later I haven't had a single cystic outbreak. If Doxycycline gives you bad side effects, try a different antibiotic! The same routine doesn't always work for everyone, but try all your options before you give up or move on to more dramatic means.
March 2, 2008
Pros:
It works very well on my skin! I've been using Doryx for 2 years now. I'm African American and its very hard to find products that work on your face. Proactive did'nt work for me at all!. but i love doryx i'm on 100 mg pills.
Cons:
A bit pricey. A colleege student on a budget? i can't keep affording these @ $40 each refill.
Overall it works great. I used to have very severe acne. Everyday i would break out but now my face is very smooth and is now claring up a lot.
February 19, 2008
Pros:
Cheap and does kind of work
Cons:
gave me more spots, like severe severe acne! but then started to clear up
i have been taking it for about 3 months
it hasn't done that much, it made it really bad, then started to clear itself up, not sure if i would recommend it, arrrrrr might as well
February 14, 2008
Pros:
It has noticeably reduced the redness in my breakouts and has almost completely cleared up my face. The number of breakouts I've experienced have been far fewer after starting this and each time they are less and less severe.
Cons:
It can make you slightly sick to your stomach. It has only happened twice for me. Both times were when I was rushing to class and only had time to take it with some water. I recommend taking this with at least a small meal and something to drink.
This is a fantastic medicine. It has done wonders for my skin in less than 6 weeks. I am unbelievably impressed by Doxycycline and would recommend it to anyone who wants to stop their ongoing acne problems but would rather not try Accutane just yet. Remember to let it do its job and be patient. It takes time. But with time came great results for me.
February 5, 2008
Pros:
skin looks healthy and vibrant!
Cons:
didn't clear all acne, however the pimples i did get weren't as red...
Also dries out skin, and chaps lips
Be sure to take with a snack, or you will get sick!
overall, though it did not clear all my acne, my skin looks great. Not as oily as before. Recommended to rejuvenate skin's appearance
January 22, 2008
Pros:
Cheap, works a little.
Cons:
Wasn't an incredibly noticeable difference. Made me sick to my stomach a lot.
It's cheap, but it wasn't the best for me. I took it everyday as directed for several months with no real results. I always drink a lot of water, but if I wasn't drinking a couple of bottles of water while taking this medication I got incredibly sick to my stomach with horrible headaches.
December 20, 2007
Pros:
It seemed to clear up about 60% of my acne. I reduced the surface pimples and also had less of the big red ones.
Cons:
It didnt get rid of everything, and I still got the very incomspicuous big red ones every once in a while.
I still break out about once every three weeks. I think this could work if my skin were a little different.
December 2, 2007
Pros:
The blue colored pills.
Cons:
My acne didnt improve at all.
About 5 years ago I went to Thailand and was prescribed doxycycline for malaria and my doctor mentioned it can be used for acne and it really cleared up my minor acne. A little over a month ago my derm prescribed doxy and I was positive it would clear up my acne but unfortunately it did not. Doxy actually didnt do anything for me. However, I really like the vibrant blue pills and it is used to treat a lot of things such as syphilis and chlamydia so thats always good. Initially I was a little unsure about doxy because my derm told me to make sure and eat when I take it because it can make you sick and to not take it before bed because it can burn a hole in your esophagus. The only side effect is my skin is super sensitive to sunlight.
Pros:
its a pill you can swallow lol