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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4
29.3%
3
24.9%
2
15.9%
1
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Used Minocycline? Rate It:

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March 4, 2012

Pros:

Cleared up my cystic acne and the acne all over my body. My skin was clear and the most beautiful it had been since I was a baby

Cons:

No cons for me except when I stopped taking it. My acne came back but not as bad is it had been

I was very happy with this antibiotic. It cleared up my skin like nothing has ever done before. I had cystic like acne that was painful and left scars without picking at them. Unfortunately, I stopped taking it because I had surgery and didn't want to mix the all the antibiotics together. After I stopped I became pregnant. My Dr was shocked that I had been taking minocycline previously because apparently it's a form of birth control. That was something my dermatologist did not inform me of. I would love to get back on this but unfortunately I do not have health insurance anymore. But for all of you out there thinking about trying it I feel it's worth a try. I did not have any side affects just beautiful skin.
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February 18, 2012

Pros:

for me, nothing. this product literally did nothing for my skin. I was really disappointed because I was excited to take it, but after the first month I saw no effects whatsoever

I guess you can try it, it's not gonna hurt but I was really disappointed.
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February 17, 2012

Pros:

-Cleared cystic pimples, whiteheads
-Made skin less oily

Cons:

-Acne came back 2 months after stopping
-HORRIBLE stomach/GI side effects!
(nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, Gastritis, Esophagitis, awful cramping, heartburn, acid reflux) even after stopping Minocycline

I had acne from taking the pill, so my Derm prescribed this. It cleared up most of my acne quickly, so I stopped for 2 weeks after a month, but started up again when my acne came back. My skin was great the whole time I was on Mino, but I was constantly nauseous, sick, and dizzy. I was able to stop after 3 months and my skin stayed clear for about 2 months, before slowly getting about as bad as it was before, plus a TON of blackheads that I never had before. Even after I stopped taking it, the nausea continued and became so extreme that I ended up in all sorts of doctor's offices and had surgery before being diagnosed with Gastritis and Esophagitis from this pill. It's been over a year since I first took Mino, and I'm STILL dealing with the side effects. I was pretty healthy before this pill and spent weeks at a time completely bedridden because of the side effects and may possibly have gotten Crohn's Disease, which is a life long condition. I am 20 and unable to work because my flare ups are so severe and unpredictable. If you're going to take this pill, despite the huge correlation between Mino and Gastritis and Esophagitis, for the love of GOD, take it on a full stomach and don't take it before lying down (causes more acid erosion/heartburn and nausea) and take a probiotic every day to counteract the good bacteria that's being killed. Maybe you'll be lucky and will only experience minor nausea, but maybe THIS will happen (like it has for many) and you won't realize it until it's too late. If you start feeling sick, just stop the pill. I swear to you, it's not worth it. All of this, and my acne just came back. Please, just look at the side effects I posted and rethink it. It's like 24/7 morning sickness for a year and counting and there's nothing you can do about it. I wish I never took this pill.
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February 17, 2012

Pros:

Turns cystic acne to small bumps and white heads, clears some acne, makes breakouts less severe

Cons:

Sometimes made me dizzy and nauseas, but nothing serious, you still get breakouts while on the treatment

I have pretty bad acne. I have small to medium bumps all over my forehead and cheeks. The first couple of weeks, the results were great. All my larger acne bumps turned into small white heads and small bumps, and i thougt in a week or so my skin would be completley clear. Then, when i got my period, the time i usually breakout the most, all the progress and improvement in my skin just went away ): i broke out badly so im back to where i started. Im still using minocycline, hopefully it will improve my skin again. If not, i think im gonna use accutane.
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February 13, 2012

Pros:

This completly cleared up my acne. It was only moderate around my skin and forehead but something that I was very annoyed with.I have been trying out treatment for about the last 5 years (am 23). Am left with no scarring. Can go out with no make up. I take it before I go to bed at night. Have been on it for 7 months now.

Cons:

This cannot be taken within the same time period as other pills such as iron supplements. I is rather expensive.Paid €37 for a months supply. There are cheaper alternatives apparently but I'm sticking with what I know

It cleared my acne up withing a couple of weeks. Was told last week I had lovely skin. I haven't had any side effects.
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February 9, 2012

Pros:

It cleared up my "mild to sever acne" problem as my doctor assessed my facial area.

Cons:

It may get you nauseous, but I drink a lot of water, almost 3/4 of a gallon a day. so the nausea doesn't hit me that hard. On MY label it says not to have calcium, magnesium, or calcium 2 hours before and 2 hours after dosage as it my negate the effects of the medicine. In that sense, it is tough, because I am always eating something that has one or all of those.

Before I used, I literally would get 3 - 4 new fresh pimples EVERY DAY. After first few days, I already saw improvement. My pimples were lessening and not growing as much. Few weeks in, I didnt grow any new pimples. But I recommend trying to stay CONSISTENT with the dosage and take as recommended. I take twice per day, so thats one pill every 12 hours. At a point, I was taking my pill every 13 hours, then 15, then 17, then after awhile it got to every 24 hours. I weened my body off of it. But then when I started slacking off the minocycline altogether, one or 2 pimples would pop up. Bottom line: this medication worked for me. Stay consistent with the dosage, stay hydrated, and CONTINUE to do the acne.org face wash, treatment, moisturizer, and jojoba oil. Even though I slacked off with the meds, I still do the acne.org regimen. Now that my pimples have dissappeared, I have been focused on getting my scars to go away, and the moisturizer and jojoba oil is the SH*T!
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February 6, 2012

Pros:

It really does help with fight acne or cystic acne like mine.

Cons:

none really. I became nauseas randomly 15weeks into taking the medicine so i stopped taking it for a few days and changed my diet (added more protein) and started up again and was fine and haven't experienced that again.

In my opinion it does work it just takes what seems like FOREVER to see results. I started to see some change by the 7th week. It still was rough but a lot better then when i started that is for sure! Another thing is it will get worse before it get's better. Im still currently on mino and it's been ?25weeks and luckily i'm not immune yet and i'm actually seeing the best skin i've had since i got this random cystic acne last year. I would suggest asking you doctor for clindamycin phosphate topical solution to add to your treatment. Since i've been using that duo and eating lots of veggies everynight along with taking fish oil, a multivitamin, and biotin. I've seen such a major difference and effectiveness in my face. I wish i would have done it sooner. Hopefully you don't have to be on mino for as long as i have though. I finally found a doctor who will prescribe me isotretinoin (aka accutane) because i do not want to have to depend on taking mino forever just to keep my skin kinda ok and then go through hell again with my face if i were to become immune to the antibiotic. I don't recommend isotretinoin i think you should try everything before going to this extreme but i've exhausted all options and treatments and ready to try this last one. Goodluck to all fighting this hard fight!!!
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February 5, 2012

Pros:

It helped out with my back and chest acne, but it hasn't completely cleared it up

Cons:

Blurred vision
Depression
Dizziness
Change in my... reactions, idk... i get scared more easily
I cant feeekin fall asleep at night!! It is just
soooo hard
I dont see any results on my face

I take 200mg of this stuff, and it barely helps Im really scared of getting those more serious side effects, im worried about that I feel more depressed and thats a problem, because i dont feel the same anymore and all of a sudden my mind is filled with the negative things about life. Its hard to go to school. Life feels hard to deal with now.... I have been on differin gel, clyndamycin phospate lotion, this,and prednisone My derma will soon prescibe accutane and see how it works out for me... i really hope it works, i heard very good reviews, but im scared of the sideffects Hope my acne gets better....
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February 5, 2012

Pros:

Moderately stops acne

Cons:

DIZZY!!!! I was just always dizzy, lightheaded and had nausea.

I've been on 200mg a day for a month and it's cleared all my whiteheads. Still get normal acne of just bumps though. My doctor said I could upgrade 50 mg a day but there's just no way I could with all the constant dizziness I have now....
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February 2, 2012

Pros:

-Cleared my acne up in a few weeks
-Easy to take

Cons:

-Stop working

Alright, so I was put on this over a year ago and it cleared me up in just a few weeks. I was sooooo happy! But it has since stopped working and it won't work again because the bacteria is resistant to it now.
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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