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
October 21, 2008

Pros:

clearing up my acne!!!

Cons:

bad metallic taste in mouth
have to wait to eat

been takin mino (100mg twice a day) (also us tretinon cream) for about a week...had severe acne and cyst...about 50 spots on my face....now i only have about 15 spots left wit no cyst. this stuff is great!!!
October 12, 2008

Pros:

redness is some what gone but havent used it long enough

Cons:

got a very light stomach ache the first day

only been using it for 2 days 100mg 2x a day...takes redness away quick but my pimples are still there..i also use triton cream and the proactive renewing cleanser due to the low dose of benzoyl peroxide
October 4, 2008

Pros:

I had acne all over my face, within 2 weeks there was a huge improvement, and within the month i was totally clear. After about a month of being off it however, acne came back, though it wasn't as bad as before.

Cons:

Wasn't a solution, acne came back after a short time being off the medication. I felt dizzy and unable to concentrate for the first 2-3 days, but that went away and no side effects since.

Definately give it a go, it worked miracles for me while i was on it. By the way i was taking 100mg twice a day.
August 16, 2008

Pros:

It worked well enough, in fact it worked much better than Proactive.

Cons:

The medication was beginning to flatten my retinas, according to my eye doctor. Luckily I didnt suffer any permanent damage as a result of this medication, and I stopped using it immediately.

I encourage everyone to visit their eye doctor to make sure this doesnt happen to them. Your eyes are definitely more important than your skin!
August 10, 2008

Pros:

Cleared face within a week, looking better every day.

Cons:

Still getting blackheads. But most severe reaction is hives all over body from neck down to knees. Hands, elbows, and knees swollen and achy. Started with huge welts all over my arms. I look deformed. Spread all over the rest of my body except face

I am not sensitive to many things but this medication obviously is not for me. I am going to have to go off of it. If you have no reaction it works great, but I dont know which is worse- the pimples or the hives
August 4, 2008

Pros:

Long term use of Minocycline has gotten rid of my existing cysts and has generally abated the recurrence of them.

Cons:

After being on Minocycline for 1 year, I have developed intense joint pain. There are documented cases of drug induced lupus and I believe I am one of them. After getting off Minocycline, the joint pain disappeared.

Give it a try. Before I started feeling the joint pain, the results were great. To see the results, however, you need to stay on it for a while. Also, Minocycline takes up to 3 weeks to leave your system. If you feel like things are going well and you get off of Minocycline, watch out for that 3 week mark! I wish I didn't have this adverse reaction because I would still be on it otherwise.
May 24, 2008
I've been on this for about a month. I think I have developed hives. I am itching like crazy all over my body. I have broken out in hives from other antibiotics before. Also, the acne on my face has cleared up a bit. But my back is worse than ever. I also gained almost 10 pounds in the month I have been on it. I have no idea if that is a coincidence, or related to the pills. To women, I would recommend the Yasmin birth control pill. That will be my next step. My OB put me on a low dose birth control pill, but I am going to go back to Yasmin. It made my face beautiful. I took it a few years ago.
April 6, 2008

Pros:

my skin cleared a bit!

Cons:

i felt tired,very light headed, got a weird looking itchy round rash on my left hand, i bruise easily, and im starting to have black spots on my tongue!!!!!

i've had more cons than pros. I wanted to stop this drug but im afraid that i might have a relapse. i have read a lot about people having bad breakouts when they stopped taking this antibiotic. i should've never started taking it.
March 17, 2008

Pros:

This is for Minocin capsules: works well.

Cons:

Extreme headache and nausea. I never had this side effect with MinoTabs, which I had from a different country.

Why can't I get the MinoTabs in Italy? Compositionally-wise, I don't know why they suit me better than the capsules...
March 2, 2008

Pros:

Cleared some acne after 2 weeks.

Cons:

Horrible side effects. Back pains. Joints felt stiff and crackly. Horrible breakouts after stopping.

Clears some acne, but not nearly enough to give justification for the side effects. Break out worse than ever when you stop. Bottom line: don't ever start this medication.

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.