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 4, 2016
Jaundice and hypoglycemia
I wouldn't believe this could happen but it did! My fifteen year old son has been under the care of a very conservative dermatologist for six months. We started with Epiduo which was completely ineffective. We then moved on to two topicals and doxycycline. The topicals didn't seem to be doing much after three weeks so I filled the doxy prescription. Within a few days my sons complexion looked 50% better, and after a month his face was nearly completely clear. Yes, initially he had some stomach upset, but took it the morning with scrambled eggs and a large glass of juice and had no trouble. Leap forward three months: he's yellow tinged and sleeping all the time and his grades have dropped. Not suspecting the antibiotic, I took him to the pediatrician who ordered lab work. His glucose ( after lunch, no less) was 54 and his bilirubin count was high, explaining his sallow coloring. Common illnesses were ruled out, such as mono, thyroid,etc. After reading exhaustively about doxy, his only medication, I discovered that it is likely the cause of his symptoms. We stopped the medication and go for repeat blood work later this week. Fingers crossed that the liver problems are reversible. As with any medication be vigilant when something seems "off".
September 26, 2016
Wow. This is so awful, I am so sorry this happened to him. Is he okay now?
August 24, 2014
THE SOLUTION TO CLEAR SKIN
This antibiotic is what helped me the most. No other prescription helped me reduce acne like this oral antibiotic. I remember not using any topical prescription on my face because of how well my body reacted with this antibiotic. I first used it around 5 years ago when my acne first started to worsen. My skin cleared up within weeks. I felt a little nauseas when I took this 5 years ago because I had to take it on an empty stomach, everyday. After, I took a break from this and had a really bad reaction. I took this a year after and it seemed like it wasn't helping. Since it wasn't helping, I took another break from this antibiotic. After the break, I was prescribed to this for the third time but instead of one pill a day, I had to take 2. It has been working like a charm ever since I've been taking this antibiotic twice a day. To prevent the nauseas symptom, I eat right before I take this pill (in the morning and at night) and I avoid dairy products 2 hours before/after taking this pill.
March 19, 2012
Cons:
horrible stomach aches
takes a very long time to work
will make acne worse at first
ive been on this stuff for almost 2 months exactly, and i gotta say its really starting to work for me. ive been taking 2 100mg pills a day. initially, my acne was getting worse, but i found out that was only because the medicine is removing all the bacteria from under my face, so it is being brought to the surface. i was starting to get confused because it would reduce breakouts, but then knew ones would come in its place, so my face was just a red mess. but i decided to stick with it, and now i see my skin improving greatly! my red spots are beginning to fade, and my breakouts have been reduced greatly. even when i get a pimple, it is much smaller and less noticeable and goes away much quicker. i highly recommend this medication though taking this medication with food and water is a MUST! ive had two occasions where i took on an empty stomach and both times i ended up throwing up.but having your confidence back and clear skin far outweighs the side affects, just dont forget to take with food
February 18, 2012
Pros:
It clears up all of your acnes
Cons:
It take a long time
I used doxycycline hyclate for about 3 months and it cleared everything up. At first you don't think it's going to work but just give it time it will
June 9, 2011
Pros:
-Helped clear up skin
-Easy to take
Cons:
-Only works for so long
-MUST TAKE WITH FOOD + WATER TO AVOID NAUSESA. If you take on empty stomach you will feel like your going to puke.
Was on doxy for good 3 months. Helped skin clear up in some areas. Seemed to only work for so long then it started to have no effect on me. Acne that was once gone possibly came back. Prescribed once a day.
June 8, 2011
Pros:
it really does clear up acne
clears of body acne
Cons:
causes vomiting
takes a while to work
if you stop using acne will come back
Bottom line, this stuff really work... it may make you feel sick and even make you throw up, but if you make sure you drink plenty of water and eat before taking it won't make you sick.
May 6, 2011
Pros:
Cleared up my skin in 10 days
easy to take
works fast
tried many other treatments only one that worked for me
Cons:
If you don't take it with food you will vomit
Best acne treatment for me but everyone is different. I tried proactive, Retina A, Triaz, and tetracycline. This is the only one that worked for me I am so happy now :) Plus at target its only $4
March 25, 2011
Pros:
-stop cystic formation
-free! (otherwise very cheap)
-decreased nodular acne under skin
Cons:
-took a bit to see slightest improvement (over a month)
-hearing distortion
have been on this medication at 150mg/day along with topicals: Epiduo (morning) and Aczone (night). I added these topicals a week and a half ago and have seen enormous improvement since. I had uncontrollable persistent cystic acne for 4 months. I am happy to see signs of my clear skin coming back. This is my first experience with severe acne at 20. The dermatologist considered Accutane for my skin that's how bad it is (just to put things in perspective). I had a $35 coupon from the company and insurance covered the rest so the prescription was free. I'd suggest calling the company and getting such help or coupon codes. In addition to this treatment I am soon to undergo Isolaz Laser Treatment to completely rid the acne from my life so it never returns after my antibiotic is over.
March 24, 2011
Pros:
Can be effective for many people
Cons:
Didn't work for me, many people are resistent to the antibiotics
Side effects caused me nausea and digestive problems
Antibiotics are usually the first line of prescriptions given by GPs to acne sufferers - I got put on about half a dozen, including Doxycycline, Mynocycline, Trimothoprim, etc. Doxycycline was no better or worse than those; it just didn't work. I think about 50% of people are resistent to these antibiotics. If you have mild/moderate acne, Doxycycline is worth a go - but in my opinion, even if it worked for me the intenstinal problems caused by the antibiotics mean it isn't worth it. A much better bet is to go on Dan's regimen, it has a much better success rate than antibiotics.
November 16, 2010
Pros:
stops cysts
calms swelling
Cons:
after your off of it acne comes back
i love this stuff. my face would have been flawless if it wasnt for my picking but even with that it was mainly clear. i went off of it about 2 weeks ago because my perscription was done. i started breaking out allll over again... ): im back on it again though and my derm said i can be on it long tearm this time so clear skin is on its way again! people with moderate to severe acne could really benefit from this in my oppinion(:
Pros:
clears acne
prevents breakouts
reduces redness