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
August 26, 2012
Cons:
I was scared that I would end up with a yeast infection! (I dont think I did but I stopped just in case)
Took the drug for about 6 weeks, it didnt do squat for my acne.
June 29, 2011
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Made skin much worse
Hyperpigmentation
Eating is a hassle
Gross
Made my acne worse with cystic pimples. Made skin super bumpy and distrusting. Made my skin REALLY dark without even being in the sun. Minocycline sucks.
December 8, 2009
Pros:
Effective
Inexpensive
Cons:
Bluish staining of my teeth and EARS. I know... weird.
I had a break-out case of cystic acne on my chin when I was 21. It was embarrassing, hard to cover with make-up, and VERY painful. I was prescribed minocycline and it seemed to work perfectly except for a few, rare instances of cysts. I tried about once a year to take myself off of it, but the cysts would re-occur. My GP started refilling the Rx for me, so I had no need to go back to the Derm. I'm now 39. Five years ago my teeth and ears starting taking on this bluish tinge. My once really pretty white teeth are ruined and there's NOTHING anyone can do about it. Not even veneers will help because they are semi-translucent like your natural teeth, so you can still see a little of the bluish tinge through them (i've been told by my dentist). I wear my hair straight and over my ears, and no one really notices my teeth unless I'm in natural light and smile really big. I wouldn't chance this. Too many other things out there to try first.
January 26, 2009
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
I guess it works, I can't really tell yet. I am super dry though.
Cons:
Too expensive, w/out the coupon it's 500 something, bs if you ask me.
Dunno yet, ask me again at week 12.
April 13, 2008
Pros:
Worked effectively for about the first two weeks, a dramatic decrease in amount of whiteheads, blackheads. Easy to swallow capsules, I didn't have to apply topical creams all over. Side effects of nausea or sensitive skin were not experienced.
Cons:
After that initial two weeks, the usefulness of the product tapered off to the point where I'm relying on my Benzoyl Peroxide to get rid of the pimples. Maybe it works for others as a long term treatment option, didn't for me.
The first two weeks were alright a pretty good decrease in overall pimples. After that, I now have moderate acne on my forehead and jaw line, which was never there before. The combination with Benziq (5.25% BP wash) is nice as the benziq is working. Told the derm that I wasn't satisfied and he now has me on Doxycycline (Another tetracycline antibiotic?!?! Come on doc, give me the accutane already)100mg twice a day, Benzaclin in the morning, Differin at night, and washing with Benziq morning and night. This regimen, which I'm starting today, is almost a complete formula for BP/Retinoid redness...awesome. Whatever, hopefully it works or else I'm demanding accutane next derm visit. Minocycline was covered by insurance so next to no cost to me by the way.
August 25, 2007
Pros:
it will kill acne causing bacteria
Cons:
causes ulcers, liver damage, lupus, etc, etc, etc. anyone who takes this poison is an absolute idiot, i'm sorry and i pray for your longterm health. you might as well be on crystal meth, but as long as your face is clear i spose it's ok right?
i tried one 100mg pill 5 minutes before looking at these reviews. seeing all the terrible side effects and long term damage this drug causes i immediately regreted putting into my body. i was dizzy and had blurred vision within a half hour and at about the 7th hour i had joint pain, a head-ache, swollen lips and eyelids, and my lips were beginning to chap. i will never ever try this again nor will i recomend it to anyone, ever!
August 18, 2007
EXCERCISE,DRINK LOTS OF WATER--NO DRUG CAN PERMENANTLY ELIMINATE ACNE (EXCEPT ACUTAINE BUT THAT HAS TOO MANY SIDE EFFECTS).DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY
August 14, 2007
Pros:
it cleared up my acne in a week!
Cons:
I had the worst allergic reaction- my lips tripled in size to the point of them cracking and bleeding
It works great but the side effects are too painful to live with.
July 6, 2012
Pros:
Clears acne quickly (less than 2 weeks)
Effective when compared to other antibiotics, whether they are oral or topical.
Cons:
SIDE EFFECTS!!!:
Blue nails
Blue teeth
Migraines
Stomach discomfort
DO NOT TAKE......unless you want to trade acne for blue teeth/nails (temporary- goes away if you stop taking it) and if you wanna feel like crap (headaches, nausea, laziness, etc....)
I've been wanting to write a review for this product for a while. I've been suffering from moderate acne for about 6 years (I'm 22) and have been through the ups and downs of MANY different products. I've researched extensively and I've seen 6 different dermatologists from 4 different facilities over the last 6 years. If you're a young person with moderate acne/oily skin, 90% of you should listen to me and do this: For starters, use Cetaphil Daily Face Wash 2x a day.
Mornings - use either an antibiotic (clindamycin - topical worked great for me for 1 year) or Aczone 30 mins after washing your face.
Evening - Tazorac .1% gel (pea sized amount) 30 mins after shower. Wait another 30 mins and apply moisturizer as needed (meaning chin, around mouth, near nose, maybe even upper cheeks), but don't apply to areas that are naturally greasy. Other useful and true tips:
Avoid greasy foods, excessive sweets, and cheese.
Change your pillow cases 2x a week (minimum).
After sweating (working out, sun bathing, etc) shower ASAP.
Most importantly, if you live in a sunny region, ENJOY THE SUN.
So many derms advise against sun tanning because of skin damage; but trust me, if you have oily skin, the risk of burning, wrinkles, or even permanent scarring is minimal to nonexistent.
Derms hate the sun - Why?
Because it provides Vit. D, dries the skin, and blends blemishes for FREE!...They can't compete with that.
The risks associated with drugs are FAR WORSE than skin damage from the sun. Case and point: Took minocycline and doxycycline on different occasions - both resulted in blue teeth/nails, migraines, and stomach pain. And we all know the numerous detrimental side effects of Isotretinoin/Accutane. Eat healthy, keep your face clean, try topical products first and try to avoid oral rx's like doxycycline and minocycline due to their numerous and harmful side effects (less systemic absorption of rx drugs),
May 28, 2012
Pros:
Worked the first month
Cons:
Stopped working
I have been on this medication for almost 2 years now and my acne is the worst its ever been. I went to my doctor about 4 months ago and told him it wasn't working so he upped my dosage, and its Still not working. He continues to switch my topical creams around while on the pill.
Now my acne is horrible, however its only at my chin not anywhere else. i dont understand it. Its all inflamed and i have a ton of small hard white bumps under my skin that dont do anything. Im not sure what to do next, if anyone has any advice please email me " thecodyrussell@[link removed] " because i feel that what my doctor is having me do is making my skin worst.
Pros:
Nothing, it didnt do anything for my acne