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 21, 2009
Cons:
I had to stop taking it as I became pregnant and the acne did return after about 1 month of not using it. So it probably is true that you need to keep taking them forever, but I seriously would not mind, its a small price to pay to have clear skin.
I am 24, have suffered from acne for at least 12 yrs. Doxycycline is the ONLY thing that cleared my skin. I tried just about EVERYTHING out there, nothing worked. I used it for a little bit over a year.
I'd take one pill when I woke up and one before going to bed. The morning one did make me very nauseous 30 mins after taking it but it would go away after 30 mins too. You can eat after that as well, I think that's the reason you get nauseous.
I did notice that it made my skin more oily but again I did not mind. I'd just pat it with a napkin. My brother suffers from acne too and is now using it, it is working for him as well. As soon as I have my baby I plan on getting back on it. I loved having clear skin. I'm sure that just as: proactiv, nv perricone, clearasil, neutrogena, oxy, clean & clear, tetracycline, cetaphill, avon, mary kay, clinique, chanel, epsom salts, vinegar did not work for me (or my brother) this may not work for everyone either but its sure worth the try. Good
April 21, 2009
Pros:
everything about this medication works great after just TWO DAYs my skin was completely clear!
Cons:
stomach pain
this medicine works miracles!!!
April 15, 2009
Pros:
works on mild acne
Cons:
hard to remember to take it everyday
takes a while to start working
stops working when you stop taking, tummy aches
this is a good treatment for mild acne and whiteheads.
however i used it for two months with benzaclin treatment at night and in the morning with cetaphil wash, my acne went away for the most part.Then i stopped taking it and it came back twice as bad! im back on it now and forgot to take it with food again, so the whole stomach thing occured again. But my stomach deff got used to it last time i used it, i didnt even need to take it with food after a couple weeks. But now i have to wait for it to start working again and the BOTTOM line is who wants to take these bright blue pills for the rest of their lives? id rather find somthing that takes its away and keeps it away ( am i being unrealistic?)
April 9, 2009
Pros:
It gets the job done, if you remember the job of taking it.
Cons:
As with the rest of my doxycycline brethren, I too experienced nausea upon popping the pill without some grub in my stomach.
I suffer from a horrible case of mild acne, that sometimes decides to go cystic on me. The breakouts tend to vary both in location (on my face you silly goose), and time (God only knows when I'll experience the wrath of a breakout). When my doc recommended an antibiotic to battle the bacterium I was skeptical, knowing the side effects of prolonged antibiotic use. I took the chance, and now my friends don't call me leper face anymore. Only down fall to the little pill (I'm taking 100mg 2 times daily) is it wreaks havoc on your stomach if you don't take it down with some ramen and a beer. (P.S. I don't recommend taking antibiotics with ethanol containing beverages.) All in all, for 10 bones, you can have yourself an acne massacre.
March 29, 2009
Pros:
After using doryx for a few weeks I have finally noticed a significant improvement! I have a lot of whiteheads (closed comedones) all over my cheeks and forehead and I have seen significant improvement taking this antibiotic!
Cons:
Causes stomach upset.
Patience is key. This product works, it just takes time to get into your system and start working. I have noticed a huge improvement with the amount of whiteheads, about half of them are gone and I've been using Doryx for a month now. Knock on wood, I also have not gotten any cyst like breakouts! On average I was getting 3-4 a week, but now I am getting zero! LIke I said, patience is key...it takes time to work...at least for me it did. I am starting my second month of this antibiotic and I'm hoping it will continue to improve my acne!
March 10, 2009
Pros:
It cleared my face up
Cons:
LOTS of red acne type little bumps on chest and arms!!! Mostly on days I was in the sun!!!
Almost everyone I know has had some type of reaction to this medication. I tried it (hoping for the best) and I will NEVER take it again. I only took it for 8 days and I have been off for 2 weeks. last weekend I was in the sun for about an 1/2 hour total and the next couple of days they got worse. The following weekend I was out for about the same amount of time and I got them again even worse!!! I have been off for two weeks and I still cant go in the sun at all!!! The medication is not worth it one bit. Apparently, it just way too hard on my body! The bumps are on my upper chest and arms (pretty much where the sunlight was). Its sad that I cant go in the sun for 30 mintues without have a reactions for several days. I am a Florida girl and my skin was quite used to the sun before this medication. Also, if you do take it drink plenty of water and eat a meal when you take it. The cost was $13.00 before insurance and I paid $3 with insurance. Good luck to all!!!
March 7, 2009
Pros:
Inexpensive, face is clearer than before
Cons:
rough on the stomach, still get blemishes
I get a bottle with 100 pills for about $16 at walmart without insurance. So don't be fooled by places like Rite Aid that wanted to charge me $60.
I never really got super bad acne until about a year or two ago and my lite to moderate acne went to being moderate to severe. With this medication it helps to keep my breakouts more towards the lite to moderate side. I've been taking this stuff for almost a year and I've noticed during that time of the month or during high stress times the medicine doesn't seem to work.
I used to take the medicine in the morning, but if I don't eat a heavy enough meal the medication makes me want to throw up. Then I'm in bed for half an hour in the fetal position waiting for the pain to go away. I now take it before I go to bed and I don't get any discomfort.
February 10, 2009
Pros:
It clears up all the big ones, clears all the cystic acne. No big hurtful pimples..I still have alot of small ones under my skin though
Cons:
It says your not supposed to take it with food.. take an hour before eating and 2-3 after eating. It can sometimes upset your stomach a little bit.
Antibiotics only work until your body becomes immune to them. They will stop working eventually...there's really no telling exactly how long they will work for. But this is a goood solution for the meantime it DEF clears up the big painful acne...helps cystic acne alot!
February 9, 2009
Pros:
Just started a week ago. I was told to give it at least a month to work. Not seeing an improvement yet but will continue to use..of course! I have tried just about everything.
Cons:
Upset stomach the first couple days..
WIll have to keep updating, not sure yet. I am 34 yrs old, never had acne this bad before.... help!
February 6, 2009
Pros:
This product really works! I've been using it for exactly two months now. I had an extreme case of severe acne with cysts and inflammation, it was absolutely horrible. I started noticing visible results within a week. My face is very clear now.
Cons:
Don't lie down for at least 30 mins after taking it because it might give you throat ulcers. Might cause upset stomach. If you forget to take it for just one day, breakouts start again.
Doxycycline 50mg is GREAT. I had severe acne and this product saved my skin from disaster. It's wonderful with minimal side effects. It has worked wonders for me.
Pros:
Clear skin for once. I did not even need to use any special facial cleaners, or topical meds, I'd sometimes even sleep with make up on, and got absolutely no breakouts.