Minocycline
Results
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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3.2
1600
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Compare To Other Treatments
5
15.8%
4
28.7%
3
25.1%
2
15.9%
1
14.6%

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June 29, 2010

Pros:

Kills off infections under your skin
Clears up acne pretty fast

Cons:

Short-term only
Minor side effects (headache)

This does it's job better than topical antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide. It fights your acne by killing the bacteria under the surface, not by unclogging the pores. Long term use is not recommended since p. acnes can become immune to antibiotics. This is why I occasionally will use benzoyl peroxide to prevent immunity. I was only prescribed this for a week after my doctor increased my retin-a dosage to .1 mg to prevent any type of breakout. It did it's job. Within a few days most of the pimples on my face healed and I was only left with red marks. However once I stopped using it, acne of course came back again until the retin-a started to kick in. Bottom line: It's effective, but isn't a permanent solution. I'd recommend using it along with a retinoid.
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March 30, 2010

Pros:

size of pill...

Cons:

In consistent head aches,
Loss of energy/ Always tired
addiction
becoming immune after only a couple of months,
no results yielded
and getting a Vitmin D deficiantcy from not staying out of the sun while on the drug...

STAY AWAY!!! Find better solutions!!!
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June 20, 2009

Pros:

It seemed to help me stay clearer.

Cons:

I had an autoimmune reaction caused by this drug. Counteracts the birth control pill.

My reaction was extremely rare...so rare it wasn't even listed on the side effects pamphlet that the pharmacy gave me. My doctor had to tell me because it was so rare. It was constant pain in all my muscles and joints for months because my immune system started attacking them (I had to quit my job it was so bad). After more tests that I can remember, one of my doctors finally suggested I stop taking it and the pain gradually went away after several more months. I have never felt the same since.
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April 2, 2016
Excellent Antibiotic with Amazing Results
Minocycline is one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, and for good reason. I've improved tremendously while on this treatment, alongside topical therapy. I have not noticed any gastrointestinal issues or other major side effects. However, this drug may cause undesirable effects in some, such as blue or grey skin and tooth hyperpigmentation. These undesirable effects are more likely to occur when the drug is taken for extended periods of time. Despite being a very effective treatment, other options are available with longer lasting results and less (potential) severe side effects. Doxycycline is closely related to minocycline and has been shown to have similar effectiveness with less of the severe side effects (of minocycline) and is now the antibiotic of choice for most cases of acne.
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July 27, 2015
Quick Fix
Minocycline worked well for my cystic acne, but it's not a good long term solution. I DO recommend it because it does help you get your acne under control while you're waiting on your topicals to start doing their job- but don't expect to take this for more than a 3-6 month cycle. I can't imagine it's very healthy to take longer than a short time period plus eventually it will lose its ability to work as well once your body adapts.
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July 17, 2015
Long term effects not worth it
This was the first Rx my derm started me on. It worked for the first couple years I was taking it, but after about about year 3 it was no longer effective for me. The previous reviews are right. Although you can get good results with this Rx, it comes at a cost. Taking antibiotics over a long period of time can wreak havoc on your body all the way from your immune system to your respiratory system. This webMD article does a nice job of summarizing. [link removed] Hope this helps!
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February 8, 2013

Pros:

Improved moderately-severe full-body cystic acne 90% within 2 months.

Cons:

Took dosage of 50 mg twice daily for 4 months, within 2 weeks of ending the prescription, acne returned to previous severity all over.

Minocycline is not a long-term cure for acne. I was told I would have clear skin for 6 months after stopping. I am 30 years old and have suffered from acne my entire life. I have used pretty much every topical medication available with varying results. If I don't use topical medications consistently, acne worsens. Topical medications alone do not improve acne very much at all.
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March 17, 2012

Pros:

Works fast
Can take with food

I'm 14 and i've been suffering from acne for the past 3 years. I never really had cystic horrible acne but ever since The beginning of 7th grade I have not gone a day without at least 10 -20 small bumps on my forehead and chin as well as the occasional huge painful pimples I get on my cheekbones when I'm stressed. With the addition of my rosacea my self confidence plummeted and it got to a point where I didn't want to hang out with my friends anymore and I would beg my parents to let me stay home from school. I couldn't understand why all my friends could be so confident without makeup, and why I had to cake it on every morning. After literally trying EVERY acne treatment out there I got fed up with my skin only becoming more irritated from the benzoyl peroxide and salacylic acid so i switched my skin care regimen to using neutrogenas extra gentle cleanser, with burst bees after sun soother as my moisturiser, and no acne products. With the addition of minocycline my skin has changed drastically and I'm slowly starting to regain my confidence. I've only been taking it for about 6 days but the amount of bumps on my face has decreased to about 5 tiny bumps and my redness is also starting to get better. I take it every morning when I wake up with a full glass of water. This is a life saver, and if you are having the same problem as me with your skin, you should definitely ask your doctor about this. The only thing I'm scared about is that people say they have relapses. :/
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January 12, 2012

Pros:

had clear skin for the first time since i was 12!

Cons:

effects didnt last long, have to limit dairy intake

we have a high insurance deductible that we never meet, so thats why it was so expensive for me. cleared up my skin! NO acne whatsoever, even on half the dose! didnt last long though, after a few months i started breaking out again, so naturally i went back to the prescribed dose of 2 pills a day... it's been a month now with no improvement. also, eating anything rich in calcium 2 hours before and after taking the pill reduces the effectiveness.... thats 8 hours a day that i cant eat milk, cheese,, yogurt etc.
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July 12, 2011

Pros:

it cleared my face up slowly but it did its job in about 3 months i had really bad acne

Cons:

Face sensetive to light
have to eat non dairy foods with the pill and wait two hours to eat dairy products.

It worked for me. It all depends on what your dermatologists tells you he put me on it with acuzone its a gel to wash your face and now i just got scarring but im happier now. All the side effects were for me were that i would get dizzy and my face was sensitive to light any type.
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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

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.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website