Minocycline
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Side Effects

Minocycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should...

Minocycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should be used only short term (max. 3 months).

It is usually taken once a day with food, at the same time every day.

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April 30, 2009

Pros:

N/A

Cons:

I got better results from an over-the-counter, off brand acne cream than this. My acne was never this bad. If anything, this medicine aggravated my skin and made it worse, especially on my back and side of my face where I hardly get acne!

I know everyone has different results, but this product is NOT for me. I'd rather go back to the cheap acne cream that makes my face red and itchy for a couple hours than this. I feel even more self concious than ever.
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April 19, 2009

Pros:

Nothing.

Cons:

Everything.

This pill is horrible. I've been taking 100mg twice a day for about a month and a half, my acne hasn't changed at all. Nothing on my face has changed. I'm taking minocycline, 10% benzoyle face wash, and a drying cream at night. I'm very disappointed.
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April 8, 2009

Pros:

Very effective at clearing deep cystic acne and reducing redness and inflammation

Cons:

After taking 100mg per day for a week, I noticed a blue gray tinge to my forehead. This apparently is a supposedly rare side effect. Also 7 tiny black birthmarks appeared on my body, apparently iron deposits caused by minocycline metabolism. Scary!

I would not recommend this medication to anyone. Black spots (iron deposits) on the skin (apparently permanent) and blue-gray tinge of the skin, bones, and blueing/yellowing of the teeth are all potential side effects, which are all much worse than acne in my opinion. I suspect these side effects are undereported, as supposedly they are very rare but it happened to me within a week of starting the medication.
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March 18, 2009
I saw improvement in my skin within a day, but after taking it for about 3days i starting getting nauseous and a little dizzy so i stopped taking it. i'm not sure if i got nauseous from the pill though, because i was just not feeling right, it may just have just been a sickness.i'm doing good now but i'm nervous to go back on it because i don't want to get nauseous again, i DO want clear skin though! i'm 15 and i've been having trouble with acne since i was about 9 so i've been trying to fight with it for awhile. Also i told my derm about how i was feeling and she changed me over to doxycycline hyclate 50MG, but i haven't taking that yet because i'm nervous what that will do to me! i don't have horrifying acne but i think it's starting to get worse. so any suggestions? do you think i should go back on it? thanks!
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March 17, 2009

Pros:

None that I can see

Cons:

Broke out into hives!

Can anyone please tell me how long these hives will last for? I have been off this medication now for 5days and I am still experiencing some major itching. HELP Please!
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February 23, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Took one pill and it made me so nauseated, till I just couldn't bear to take it again.

Pill antibiotics really can tear up the lining of one's stomach. So, definitely beware when using them! For me personally, I don't plan to ever take antibiotics again for acne. As, it just isn't worth it. I would rather go with using topical products instead for long-term treatment.
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February 22, 2009

Pros:

None for me

Cons:

Like with any drugs, be aware of its potentially serious side effects!!

I wish I had read these reviews before I started this medicine. Two weeks into treatment I developed the lupus-like symptoms others have described here. I had searing pain in every joint in my body. I was unable to turn a doorknob, walk, turn my head, etc. without sheer agony. I have a whole new appreciation for people who have any sort of chronic joint pain or arthritis. It was torturous. My derm was completely perplexed by this reaction and still to this day, I think, doesn't believe that my reaction was to the medication. I guess it's possible, but after stopping taking the medication, my horrible symptoms gradually tapered off between one and two weeks. I know probably only a small percentage of folks who take this have this sort of reaction and every drug has potentially severe side effects...but with so many other oral antibiotic options, why take the risk with this one?
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February 15, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

Can't eat dairy 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking, made my face TERRIBLE, EXTREME sensitivity to light, couldnt take at same time as multi vitamin, and makes birth control ineffective.

I had to tak it tib (three times a day) q8h and it worked out to be morning afternon and night. I LOVE dairy products, but found my sefl never having time to eat it because I had to work around the schedule of the pill (couldnt eve eat milk in my cereal in the morning !! Within the first week I got an extremely bad sun burn from being out side for maybe 2 hours on a day with a low UV index. It absolutely never helped with my acne. My pharmacist told me it would prob get worse within the first 6 weeks and then start to get better, and I took it for 3 months and it honestly just kept getting worse and worse until I finally decided to stop it. Couldnt even rely on my birth control anymore, even though i was in a long term mongomous relationship
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February 6, 2009

Pros:

NONE. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE CONTINUING YOUR PRESCRIPTION

Cons:

IF YOU ARE TAKING THIS AND A TEENAGE GIRL STOP. I too took minocycline and developed severe drug-induced lupus. Lupus is where your body attacks its own cells like they were foreign bodies. Minocycline is no longer prescribed to teenage girls

in the UK because of the evidence that it can cause drug-induced lupus way too much. I now have permanent damage in the joints/connective tissues of my hands. DRUG INDUCED LUPUS FROM MINOCYCLINE HAS KILLED SOMEONE. If you are taking this and experience any sort of joint pain or fever, stop immeadiately. My doctor didn't tell me ANY of this. I took the medication for around 3 months total, had fevers 5 day or more a week, severe joint pain, hives, and other lupus symptoms. PLEASE consult your physician before continuing this medicine. If I could go back, I wouldn't have taken minocycline and saved myself months of pain and sickness. There are many other medications with significantly less risk.
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January 15, 2009

Pros:

-reduced the oil production within 2 weeks
-skin slightly cleared up after 2 1/2 wks

Cons:

-face didn't clear up, it only lasted about 2-3 wks and the acne came back
-ridiculous headaches/dizzy which interfered with my activities of daily living
-nausea, disturbed sleeping pattern, aromatic taste/odour

i wouldn't recommend this antibiotic but since it's for a month maybe it's worth a shot for some people. I guess you'd be lucky to get through the medication without the killer headaches and dizziness.
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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

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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