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
April 6, 2007
Cons:
I have had the nausea. One night I puked for hours b/c I took it on an empty stomach. It kinda makes me sleepy too. I havent seen much improvement.
Its been almost 3 months of taking doxy. 100mg 2x day and using RetinA micro at night. I am still peeling/dry/redness. Not much improvment. I really thought that after 3 months my skin would look great, but not the case. When I take my makeup off, my family is like "oh my gosh what happend to your face?? that medicine must not be working!!" Im like, yeah no kidding!! This sucks. I go back to the Derm. in 2 weeks. We'll see what he has to say.
March 19, 2007
Pros:
I used Doxacycline 2 years ago for 3 months and it was like a miracle. It completely got rid of my acne.
Cons:
It has now been 2 years and my acne is back since I am no longer on birth control. It also makes my skin sun sensitive.
I am going to go back on Doxacycline and am hoping for 2 more good years! If I can take this medication for 3 months and have clear skin for 2 years it is worth it!
July 23, 2017
plz tell me hows your skin now?
January 17, 2007
Pros:
Taking it for perioral dermatitis and seems to already be working after just 3 days. My skin seems less red and inflamed.
Cons:
Nausea, vomiting and headache. Don't like the dairy restrictions.
If you tend to have a weak stomach as I do, this will likely upset yours--I took a pill 2 hours after I ate and was so nauseous I had to vomit.
December 19, 2006
Pros:
I dont have any long lasting acne spots anymore...
Cons:
White heads pop up every day. It is pretty gross
I went to the derm. today & she said that I am no improving, so she put me on Minocycline. I'll let you know how that works.
November 5, 2006
Pros:
free on NHS
Cons:
dries out skin
i've been using this for nearly 3 months now and it doesnt seem to be helping!!
February 22, 2023
Not the best treatment
Barely cleared my acne. Once I got off it I immediately got a breakout.
October 5, 2020
No funcionó para mi
Durante julio comence un tratamiento contra el acné (leve a moderado), la dermatologa me recetó 100mg de doxicilina por día, y un tratamiento tópico de adapleno 3 veces por semanas. Al principio sentía que si me estaba funcionando, de hecho redujo la inflamación de mis lesiones. el primer mes me llene de granos gigantes, eran muy dolorosos y mi piel estaba muy sensible, pensé que estaba en la fase de purga, de la que la mayoría de las personas hablaban. sin importar seguí con el tratamiento y mi piel se puso aun peor. Ya en el segundo mes comence a tener dolores de estomago y se hicieron mas frecuentes, mi piel seguia igual, se supone que el tratamiento era por 3 meses, ya cumpli los tres meses pero no veo ninguna mejora, de hecho siento que me dejo peor mi piel en comparación a omo estaba en el inicio.
February 13, 2020
Aaaaaas
I wanted to write this review as you hear so many negatives on this site. A short background, acne since 12. Male. Tried minocycline that worked for approx 1year but had side effects. Went onto doxy at the beginning of December. Acne got worse. Waaaay worse. Kept taking 100mg a day (50 am, 50 pm ) everyday. Whiteheads kept forming. Scares seemed to take longer to heal. Hit 9 weeks and slowly less whiteheads (smaller in size) by week 10 scares started to fade. Week 11 - suddenly seems to be clearing. I think it’s a case of sticking with it as it works so slowly. Derm said deep cystic acne take 3 months to form so treatment takes the same time to heal. The plan is to reduce the dose over the next 3 months. Other changes are lots of water and fruit. Less milk and dairy. Advice: stick with it!
June 29, 2019
still have zits :(
I have been prescribed this countless times over the four year course that I've had acne. This medication has not been successful in clearing my skin. Each time I have been prescribed this it was a three month trial.
Other things to note are: that you CAN NOT take this while on Accutane. I had gotten an infection while at the beach and my Doc almost prescribed this while on Accutane. Huge hassle!
February 9, 2019
This Ain't It Chief
I was on this for 5 months and it did not clear me up. It gradually made me stop breaking out as frequently, but by the time that happened my dermatologist wanted to take me off of it. After that, my acne became worse and more resistant-- which makes sense now that I think about it It kills the bacteria except for the resistant strains so after you finish the course, all you're left with is the resistant strain to break you out. This could be a good short term solution to give your skin a break to heal.. but if you don't see quicker results then it is not worth it to stay on it.
Pros:
I have taken doxycyline for almost 3 months and I am just starting to see a slight improvement.