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
July 15, 2009
Cons:
being on an antibiotic semipermanantly
when i first started taking this about 3 years ago, it did upset my stomach. i soon realized that not taking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach was a good idea. i recently decided to stop taking it because i do not want to permanently be on an antibiotic (and i'm 28! i thought maybe my skin would naturally be improved by this point). 2 weeks later, my face actually hurts from the acne. i now remember why i love doxycycline so much. highly recommended. i am back on it as of today.
July 11, 2009
Pros:
Cheap
Easy to swallow tablet (50mg)
Cleared up 90% of my acne in 3 weeks
Cons:
Causes stomach ache
I've used it for almost 3 weeks and the results are amazing! It dried up all my existing acne within the first week. I consistently had minor break outs everyday but ever since I took Doxy it seems to have reduced full sized pimple break outs to very very few minor white heads.
On some days taking it makes me nauseous, but its a small price to pay for clearer skin after a decade of never ending stubborn facial acne.
July 8, 2009
Pros:
Dries face very quickly, you will see results fast!
Cons:
Eat before you take it, if you don't you will be vomiting all day, I learned the hard way! Also where an SPF 70 or higher while on the beach or you will burn!
Aside from the side effects it gets the job done.
November 18, 2009
Pros:
Had perfectly clear skin the whole time on the Doxy, minus the first 2 initial months.
Cons:
Pretty bad breakouts the first month. Second month spent waiting for marks to fade. SOO sick if taken without food.
So the first couple of months are a little rough, but after that, no more break outs whatsoever for the remainder of the year on the medication. Came off Doxy, kept me clear for about 10 months after. Now just starting to break out again, going back to the doctor for something new. Stick with it when you start, the first 8 weeks of hell were COMPLETELY worth the 2 years of clear skin for me. ONLY thing! Oh man, take it with enough food. Only happened to me once, but took it on an empty stomach, sick for about 2 hours before it passed through.
June 10, 2009
Pros:
it didnt hurt..
Cons:
i took this medicine for a month and saw zero results...
if you have moderate to severe acne just take another step up to bactrim...
June 6, 2009
Pros:
No side affects as long as you take it with food. I think the antibiotic is bringing all the bacteria to the surface.
Cons:
No cons.
I've been on Doxycycline for almost 6 weeks now and i've hardly noticed any improvement at all. I am only on a 50mg dosage once a day and i want to increase it but i doubt my doctor would approve this. I only have acne on my face, everywhere else i have perfect skin. I don't understand! I will just continue to take doxy untill the end of my treatment and then i will probably have to go on accutane or something. I just want clear skin because i'm going on a holiday soon and i deserve it! Wish me luck for my next 1 and 1/2 months. :)
June 3, 2009
Pros:
Helped clear my acne with in a few months.
Cons:
After about six months my acne came back. I had to take twice a day, and make sure I took it on a full stomache. Made me nauseous and sleepy, and for all the sacrifice to make sure I took the perscription as directed it quit working.
It is not worth the restrictions of the drug. I still broke out and I had to lay off dairy and my multi vitamins. I don't mind jumping through hoops for clear skin, but after a year I am tired of sacrificing and still breaking out!
June 2, 2009
Pros:
Not sure
Cons:
Total pain to take. Can't take with foods that contain calcium. Can't take on an empty stomach or I'll puke. Have to take twice a day. Even when I take it w/food it still makes me queasy sometimes. And I'm not even sure it's working!
I was on Minocycline and happy with it till I had some minor side effects. My doctor switched me to Doxycycline. I'd cleared up about 80% after a month of Mino but now after about 2 months of Doxy the little clogged pores and whiteheads are creeping back :/ I use it in conjunction with Tazorac and Clindamycin. The restrictions about having to take 2x a day and avoiding dairy (cause calcium blocks absorption of the drug) and the stomach upset are such a pain that I'll probably ask to get off the Doxy at my next appointment. It's very individual so maybe my body just didn't like Doxy, but I'd recommend Mino over it if you can (and avoiding oral antibiotics at all if possible!) By the way there's a branded version that you only have to take 1x a day, but it's hella expensive. My insurance didn't cover it so it would've been $300+ as opposed to the $10 for the generic.
May 18, 2009
Pros:
works excellent for adult acne. doctor put me on low dose doxy (50 mg a day). i
Cons:
women develop yeast infection sometimes. thats the only con
i love doxy. its my lifesaver. i hope it continues to work.
May 10, 2009
Pros:
*Reduced acne alot
*Hardly any break outs
Cons:
*Takes a while to see results
Doxy worked really well for me! I used to have moderate Acne but now my skin has completely cleared up and I no longer get pimples, just the odd small one that just lasts for a couple of days.
I would really recommend it although it takes a while to see results, about 3 months. But its worth it! And if you have been on it for a just a short while and havnt seen results yet I'd say stick with it! I had the same problem but a few months in and you will be really gratefull!
Pros:
the only solution to my acne that has ever even remotely worked.