Doxycycline
Oral Antibiotic
Reviews
3.4
1734 Reviews
Doxycycline
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
56%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Doxycycline
Oral Antibiotic
Side Effects
Medium-High
Doxycycline
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.
Doxycycline
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.
Read All About Doxycycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
20.7%
4
32.9%
3
22.1%
2
12.7%
1
11.5%

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February 22, 2023
Not the best treatment
Barely cleared my acne. Once I got off it I immediately got a breakout.
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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!

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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 :smileys_n_people_30: 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. 

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May 31, 2018
Oily SKin
My skin is waaaay oily. I mean its still oily after I wash it. Anyway, the only thing it did was take away the little white heads on the edges of my nose. i knew it was the doxycycline because it came right back after I got off it 2 weeks later.
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April 4, 2018
Mildly Effective/Beware of the Side Effects
I am ending a 6 month cycle of using this drug. My acne has stayed relatively the same. I do notice that the bad spots, such as cysts, don't last as long. But the decrease in longevity is not that significant. The appearance of smaller white heads is the only thing that has decreased significantly. Just a warning to those with sensitive stomachs - this drug can be rough to digest. You must take it with a full glass of water and without food for it to be most effective. However, this will cause nausea/stomach discomfort. So you can either choose for the drug to work somewhat well and be met with debilitating nausea or you can take food with it and have it barely work at all.
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October 25, 2017
Results don't last
So because this kills the bacteria in your face, the acne does get better. Unfortunately you can't stay on it forever, so once you stop, the acne comes back. At least that's what happened for me! It works, but the results don't last. Also, antibiotics also kill a lot of good bacteria in your gut which may cause long term digestive issues. All in all, not worth it.
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hgee
April 24, 2018
Have you had any luck since your course of Doxy? I've been in the same position as you and have finally put my acne cause down to Leaky Gut made worse by Doxy.
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October 7, 2017
Temporary fix
This worked well but acne returned as soon as pills stopped. You cannot stay on antibiotics long term as it destroys all the good gut flora and can lead to antibiotic resistance.
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Jigba
October 30, 2017
Mine came back too after I was off it
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May 10, 2017
Doxy
I'm a 23 yr old female suffering from hormonal acne on my jawline (bad) neck and cheeks I have been on doxy now for 2 weeks. I haven't noticed much or any difference. Iv had two pretty bad break outs right as they start to heal BAM a new lot pop up. I find that it makes my cystic acne on my jawline itch really bad. And dry lips I will stick it out for the full course. I have read so many mixed reviews but still hoping for the best
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smapdi84
July 1, 2017
Hi, any update? 32 yo male just prescribed it because of my third or fourth cystic spot in a few months...
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Akae8
January 31, 2018
How did the doxycycline go? Thanks
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January 7, 2017
Another dead end...no help
I'm 19 year old and been struggling with mild persistent acne and very oily skin since I was 13. I was on Limecycline for over a year and that helped a couple of years ago however it didnt last. Recently with going to University my skin has become the worst it has ever been and I am sick to death of feeling so insecure about my face, I hate having to constantly cover my skin with makeup to be able to go outside the house. My dermatologist has given me this before making the decision to go on accutane (which I am waiting to go on now FINALLY) - it has been a little over three months and it has barely helped at all, infact my skin just continues to get worse :( it honestly is so depressing. The first month on this made my skin terrible, it has slightly improved since then but I cant see this as a long term fix at all. It's time to get this acne and confidence battle over with and i pray accutane will be my cure :). Perhaps if your acne is very moderate and tolerable this may help, however not for more severe cases.
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ashleybauchert
December 19, 2017
you said mild acne? Like cheeks and jaw with like 4 zits on each side or something? Did doxy makie it more moderate or was it just your skin continuing to break out how it normally would.
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December 8, 2016
1.5 months in...no real improvement
I have been on doxy for 46 days. I have a mixture of inflammatory and non inflammatory acne and face has not improved at all. If anything I seem to be getting a lot more pustules on my face than I did before taking it. Regarding back and chest, every other day I wake up and it looks the smallest bit better and then the next day it looks a lot worse (red bumps) and this continues. It could be the creams and washes I am using clears up the redness and makes it look a bit better on the 'little bit better days'. So far I will give it 2 stars just because my chest looks the best it has in a year on the 'little bit better days' (although it is still pretty severe on these days, but better). But overall my skin hasn't improved yet and is in someways getting worse. I am hoping that at 3 months this will have changed and I will keep at it and update either way. If not the only pill I haven't tried is accutane!
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XoxoXoxoXOo
May 30, 2017
....update.... it didn't work at all 7 months down the line :(:)
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website