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 24, 2009
Cons:
sunburns, acne flip flops
I've been taking Doxi for 3 weeks now. After 1 week, it completely cleared my face! I was on cloud 9! After another week passed, it got worse again! I'm now on my third week and I'm still breaking out. I hope this is just one of it's side effects and it will get better again. Bottom line, i'm really not sure if it works yet, but it's really frustrating me!!!!
April 9, 2009
Pros:
It works (sort of)
Cheap
Cons:
It makes my skin really red and is not that effective
I think that doxycycline is effective for some people, but it works really slowly. It also makes people who take it have ore sensitivity to the sun which can create more acne or white heads on the surface of the red or effected area. I stopped using it because I looked like I got a bad sunburn, and was very fuchsia, and it did not make a big difference. I got only about 5 more pimple (which is regular) in the one month I had off of the medicine.
March 24, 2009
Pros:
My skin is much clearer with little to no breakouts.
Cons:
Upsets my stomache so much that I have started only taking 1 pill daily instead of 2. I tried taking it 1-2 hours before eating and the nausea was even worse once I ate. I've found that taking it just before going to bed works better for me.
It has improved my skin significantly, but I don't know if its worth feeling sick for the first half of the day everyday. I'm thinking that the 100mg dosage is too strong. I would recommend cutting the dosage in half for moderate cases and taking it at night.
March 3, 2009
Pros:
It did work wonders when used in combination with tazorac for a short period of time.
Cons:
Made my teeth, chest, and underarms yellow. Also Eroded away my enamel quite a bit.
Do not take this anti-biotic for longer than 2 months. Your skin and teeth will start to turn yellow and your tooth enamel will get weaker.
February 17, 2009
Pros:
I have suffered and fighting ance seens i hit 18 years old. i have used everything and i cant get rid of it. ive used proactive,, accutane that wrok a little bit up the side affects were really strong so i stoped and now im on Doxcycline
Cons:
ive been on it for 2 months and i still have ance this first week or two it got better but my acne is getting worse and i dont know what to do ..the cons are that your have to wait patiantly and you get a upset stomach
this is all that i have and i have knowing else to lose. ive tried everything so hopefully it will clean up my skin. if anyone is out there with the same problem i know how it feels . it the worst feeling ever. you dont want to go out side nore talk to no one. or even look in the miror to see if it has gotten better..anyone that can help me on this question? what do you guys use on you face to wash it .. any products.. please let me know i need help
February 6, 2009
Pros:
I have only been taking this for about a week now, but already my face has cleared up and is noticeably softer.
Cons:
I have to eat a big meal two hours before I take it unless I want to get nauseous. I hope I won't have to take it for too long because antibiotics suppress the immune system and I am a student nurse.
This med works. I have tried absolutely everything from Neutrogena to Proactive and the only results I got was dry, red skin. It worked fast for me.
November 18, 2008
Pros:
clears up skin
Cons:
takes forever to work, must take with food, breaks face out worse than already is
My face is clearing up, but it is taking forever to work. When I first started my face broke up horribly. It was so bad that I stayed inside for about 2 weeks. Along with the other stuff that I am using my face is now itching and drying out. In the long run the stuff works. Not immediately, but it works.
November 8, 2008
Pros:
Easy to take.
Cons:
Nausea
Dizziness
I've been taking it for close to a month.
My doctor said i will not see any changes until 3 months, then i will have to continue the use for...2 YEARS!
He also put me on a trention acid based cream, which peels the hell out of my face. I have some scars...and a few pimples here and there. I guess it is a little better than before...but im waiting until im a 3 months to really expect anything. If there is still no change, then forget them!
make sure you eat with them...!!!
I only had an apple with one this morning...and got cold flashes, then threw up..
Other than that...we will see what happens
October 10, 2008
Pros:
So far, I have taken 100mg once a day for 3 days and i've noticed the size of my pimples/bumps decreasing. Also using Duac cream at night which has worked wonders with drying them out. I would rather have dry, flaky spots than red blistery zits!
Cons:
This is a VERY strong antibiotic. If I don't eat food with it and water all day, I get extremely naseous. At night time..no matter what, I have MASSIVE stomach cramping. I have heard of this causing stomach ulcers so I will only use for a short time
The bottom line is that my doctor prescribed this to me and I am trying it out. Also, my friends mom who is a doctor gives it to her whenever she has a bad breakout as well as giving it to her patients when she needs to operate and they have bad skin that needs repairing. It is corrosive so should not be used as a permanent solution, but definitely worth a shot if you're looking to clear up fast.
October 9, 2008
Pros:
not super expensive usually, with insurance
Cons:
i didn't see any differences, very nauseous
I'm only 20, but I've taken 3 different antibiotics, as well as being on many many different regimens and trying every product there is. I took this for the last 8 months and I felt so sick to my stomach the entire time, it wasn't worth it, especially since I didn't really see any effects, anyway.
Pros:
semi cleared my face