Acne.org Products
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
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 they can reduce severe acne in the short term, 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 Minocycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
September 21, 2007
Cons:
Allergic reaction, broke out in hives
Mino was ok for the first few weeks, made me a bit groggy and foggy headed, but having a clear face after years of battling with acne was worth the trouble. Then all of a sudden yesterday after 3 weeks on the drug, I woke up with hives all over my legs and arms (At least 30-40 on each leg, my hands are sore because of the hives on my knuckles, can't sleep, just dying here). Incredibly itchy, swelling and growing into huge patches. I've stopped taking mino and bought some claritin to help ease the suffering until I can get to my doc. If you're lucky and dodged the bullet, it's a ok solution that works. If you're like me, have some cortisone cream, antihistamine, and cold packs ready because it's is not a pleasant experience.
August 17, 2007
Pros:
Usually take mine 30 minutes before bedtime. No side effects noticed. Just take one a day for dry eyes, not skin related.
Cons:
None that I know of! If I miss it over 2 days, my eyelids will swell, so I try NOT to miss it! It's been the salvation of my eyes.
Went to 2 other docs for eye problems before the 3rd one prescribed minocycline for what was dry eyes (use Tears, too, 4 times daily). I thank the Good Lord for this 3rd doctor who knew what he was doing! I've been taking this antibiotic for 3 years now!
July 11, 2007
Pros:
It seemed to get rid of white head pimples.
Cons:
At the same time it intensified the rest of the acne on my face, dried out my skin, and gave me acne on my forehead where it never was
I had mild acne and i started taking minoclcline in vanity of wanting perfect skin, for anyone who is in the same situation i would recommend to stay clear of this antibi and just realise that it could be much worse. I hope that when i stop taking it i will not have even worse acne!
just do your best and live with it!
April 24, 2007
Pros:
I had mild to severe acne, im using it and also use benzaclin and differin on alternate nights...My skin all cleared up in 2 weeks
Cons:
I had a few really big headaches and nausea
Its good if u can stand the headaches
April 22, 2007
Pros:
This product worked right away. Cystic acne disappeared in a couple of days. It stayed away for about a month. Then.....
Cons:
it lost its effectiveness. I went right back to where I started even though i continued taking it. I have quit taking it because it wasn't helping any more. I have about 15 pills left and I plan on taking them if I have a bad breakout.
It worked quickly but the effectiveness was short lived. I got dizzy for the first few days but that went away. I guess I would recommend it for a breakout but the body quickly builds up a resistance.
March 25, 2007
Pros:
Clears up persistent body acne within about a month.
Cons:
Antibiotic resistance can develop with on/off use; predisposes your skin to phototoxic rash from sunlight exposure.
Minocycline is a bacterioSTATIC drug; it does not kill the bacteria responsible for acne, it only keeps the populations at bay. Once you go off this drug, your skin will get worse again. Use BP in conjunction with Minocycline to kill the bacteria as well. The effectiveness of mino has all but diminished for me, so I don't take it anymore.
March 17, 2007
Pros:
Worked really well with my acne around 4th week when I first started using it 3 years ago
Cons:
very scary! I had edema on my leg and painful joints a year ago, but it went a way. I was hospitalized last Nov. they found inflammation in my midbrain. I had 2x vision, loss of balance, vertigo for about 4 wks. md's thought its multiple sclerosis.
I didn't have side effects until recently. during that time it worked well. I had to stop it b/c of neurological side effects lately. cheap, if you have insurance. I lost my insurance so I had to pay for the full price. Use it but AT YOUR OWN RISK.
January 23, 2007
Pros:
Works really good. Been taking it off and on for almost ten years. Nothing else works for me - not like this antibotic
Cons:
Minocycline can have horrible side effects. In med school, students remember it because they draw a minnow with sharp teeth. It can turn your ears, gums, and other parts of body blue purplish - skin discoloration that takes forever to clear, if ever.
I take it until my the lower part of my legs turn purplish, then I back off for a couple of months -but the pumps come back. I'm 35 and will probably die with zits!!
December 24, 2006
Pros:
Insurance paid for most of it, skin cleared up after about 3 weeks.
Cons:
You can't stop taking it!
A few months ago I started using 100mg/2x/day. After about 3 wks my skin cleared up so much!! I used up all my refills and missed about 2 weeks while waiting for my refill authorization and my skin got so bad! Maybe even worse than before. I'm back on it now and will not let my rx lapse again. Going to the dr on Tues to ask about Solodyn.
December 19, 2006
Pros:
It does keep a lot of break-outs at bay, but my face is not entirely clear.
Cons:
I have tried to go off of it a couple of times and I got bad break-outs both times. To clear those break-outs, I ended up back on it.
It can help, but I don't think it is a cure-all. It should be a last resort.
Pros:
Cleared up my acne for the most part, no more huge flare ups