Oral Antibiotic
Reviews
3.2
1954 Reviews
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
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.
Oral Antibiotic
Side Effects
High
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.
Read All About Minocycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
17.3%
4
27.7%
3
24%
2
16%
1
14.9%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
July 21, 2009

Pros:

Did great job in clearing and keeping away my acne.

Cons:

Didn`t really experience any problems.

I developed acne as I went through puberty and stayed with me all my life. I am now 38. I tried everything i could get my hands on including massive dietry changes. I finally gave minocin tabs a go and couldn`t believe the results! I was so excited, it was probably one of the best thing that has happened to me. I was on 100mg to start, taking 50 twice daily after a meal. I was on it for about 5 years but for the last 3 years I dropped my dose to only 50mg daily taken every day without fail after lunch. I still kept a good diet and avoided the common acne causers like bad oils, fried foods, choclate etc...and never took the drug on an empty stomach. I don`t know if this helped or what but I never had 1 problem with the drug, and didn`t even keep out of the sun as was recommended. Finally been off it now for about year and half worried being on a drug 2 long and been taking a more natural approach which is working but not as good and a hell of alot more work!
July 3, 2009

Pros:

I had acne for about 10 years but it worked & reacted quickly..
I've tried all kinds of ance product and laser treatments but minocycline works the best.

Cons:

I took it for two weeks and stopped.. then ance came back in a month.. I'm not sure if it was the egg I ate since I'm allergic to eggs.. also I've been having a major depression! but it could be because of a breakup w/ my bf.. who knows what it is..

It doesn't hurt to try... It works pretty good.. However, it seems that ance may come back once stop taking it.. Everything has pros & cons.. You're the decision maker!
May 11, 2009

Pros:

NO PROS

Cons:

FIRST NIGHT I TOOK IT I GOT REALLY BAD HEART BURN... MY CHEST AND STOMACH HURT SOOO BAD... SECOND NIGHT I TOOK IT I FELT REALLLLY DROWSY. AND AGAIN MY CHEST HURT VERY BAD... SECOND NIGHT I COULDN'T EVEN KEEP MY EYES OPEN I WAS LIKE A ZOMBIE

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE. IT MESSES WITH YOUR BODY AND MIND. I HAD FINALS THE WEEK I TOOK THIS MEDICINE AND IT DID NOTHELP WITH ACNE BUT INSTEAD GAVE ME TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS.. I GOT OFF OF IT RIGHT AWAY. MY INSURANCE PAID FOR IT SO IT WAS FREE.
May 10, 2009

Pros:

none that i can tell.. just made my skin less oily for a couple days but that was it.

Cons:

LOTS OF PIGMENTATION!!! made my skin look worse than it did. now im not allowed to go in the sun because it'll make things worse. note that minocycline and all of the -cycline antibiotics may result in pigmentation and even tooth discoloration.

use something else if you can.
March 19, 2009

Pros:

immediate results. My skin looks amazing. I was getting breakouts that took forever to heal. No breakouts overall - a tiny few around my period - but healed SO fast! Wonderful to wake up and not worry about what I will find on my face.

Cons:

None that I can tell. I've been on the med for 2 months.

Thrilled with results. I have great medical coverage, so the price is not an issue - don't think I could justify being on it if I had to pay the full price.
March 6, 2009

Pros:

I started to see results the first week. My face had less breakouts, and when I did get them, they were smaller. (btw i have oily skin)

Cons:

headaches

Take it as prescribed and it should help out just fine, however it will take time. BE PATIENT!!!!
February 26, 2009

Pros:

The day I was prescribed Minocyline I took the pill that day. The next day I noticed a drastic difference with an inflammatory breakout on my cheek.

Cons:

The following week I noticed I was experiencing small breakouts all over my face, I continued to follow through with the pill hoping my skin would improve, unfortunately my skin got worse. I took a break from it, let my skin clear up with topical med

This is one of the first options a doctor will offer you for a topical medication, if it doesn't work with your skin I would stop taking it.
February 6, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

My acne became much worse after taking this medication. I took it as directed and even stayed on it for a year to give it time to work. After I stopped taking it my skin cleared up so much, I didn't realize how bad this medication was breaking me out

I wouldn't ever try this again. I'm 25 and have moderate acne. Doryx and doxycycline both worked for me when I was younger, but don't seem to have an effect any more. I tried Minocycline and it gave me this weird deep large pocket acne. These did not raise to white heads, but stayed relatively flat and took a loong time to go away. Though I did still have the usual white heads and black heads in addition to that type of acne. After I stopped and my skin cleared a lot I noticed that I had a lot of scars and horrible skin texture which was never a problem before. I've been off of it for at least a year and my skin texture is still ruined because of it.
January 9, 2009

Pros:

reduces redness

Cons:

doesnt work
more cycstic acne
nausea

it might work for people with not as severe acne but its not really strong enough i am going to accutane
November 24, 2008

Pros:

none

Cons:

Didn't help with bacne at all. I have been taking this medication for about 6 weeks and their have been no improvements on my acne at all.

It doesn't work for bacne

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.

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.