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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5
15.8%
4
28.7%
3
25.1%
2
15.9%
1
14.6%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

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August 16, 2013
Took 15 days to clear me up

Pros:

Cleared me up 1/2 a month
Side effects have gone away
Only have to take once or twice a day

Cons:

Side effects when you begin taking them
Risk of antibiotic resistance, killing good bacteria in your stomach, blue skin
Scared it will stop working

It has been 15 days since I began taking Minocycline and I must say I am very pleased with the results so far. I take 100 mg 2 times a day and will be brought down in 15 more days to 100 mg once a day. I read many negative things about antibiotics (i.e. antibiotic resistance, destruction of "good" bacteria in the gut, risk of getting blue skin) but, I believe it has been worth the risk, especially since I have been struggling with acne for 15 years. The side effects have went away. At first I felt dizzy and had a headache, but now I don't feel any of the initial side effects. It is up to each person to weight the risks/cons and the benefits/pros and decide for themselves if they way to use systemic antibiotics. From personal experience, I think Minocyline is superior to Doxycycline in terms of clearing up the acne, but it did have more intense side effects. I
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March 15, 2012

Pros:

Cleared moderate to severe acne.

Cons:

When stop taking, acne comes back worse.
Bad reaction to sun (sun spots on face)
Easily bruised and bruises do not go away.

I loved this product because it worked!! I took this medicine for 4 years. I had NO pimples, it was awesome!! However, I play soccer and would get bruises which would not go away due to the medication. Also, I would get sun spot on my face which do not go away. I had to get some $500 Obagi system to remove sun spots. I became concerned about taking the medicine for 4 years so I stopped and my acne came back worse than I remember.
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December 11, 2011

Pros:

- Extended Release capsules worked perfectly
(Solodyn)

- Skin cleared up in about a month, lasted throughout treatment

- No side effects while on extended release

Cons:

- Hard to get Solodyn and the ER tablets, pharmacies would constantly try to put me on the generic tablets.

- Finally had to switch to generic tablets and was made extremely sick, felt spaced out, depersonalized. Stopped taking the generic twice a day immediately after feeling these side effects.

I was on Solodyn, the extended release brand name version of minocycline for a few months. I then was put on an almost identical generic extended release. It worked perfectly, very easy, I took it once a day in the morning, and it worked fine. It cleared my skin up, and there were no side effects. My parents didn't want to pay for the extended release anymore, so they just got me regular, generic, twice a day 100 mg minocycline. It was horrible. I felt awful, depersonalization, spacey, just completely horrible. So, bottom line, if you can get Solodyn or another ER tablet, go for it, but avoid the generic.
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December 5, 2011

Pros:

Completely cleared my skin up
Didn't have to change my diet
Didn't dry my skin up

Cons:

Took about 3 months to see results
Can't be taken for more then 5 years

This medication is AMAZING! I never had cystic acne, but got probably around 4 or 5 obvious pimples on my forehead, and then a few on both cheeks. I also had whiteheads that I could not seem to get rid of. I went on this medication at 15 and was told by my doctor at 20 that I couldn't be on it any longer, because there can be some more severe side effects. After consistently having no pimples for 5 years and coming off this medication, I have already started getting pimples and whiteheads again. Not sure how it would work if you have severe acne, but if you have light or mild acne then I highly recommend it. Be prepared for it to come back not long after you stop taking the tablets.
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November 21, 2011

Pros:

cleared up skin within first few weeks
no side effects for me
completely clear skin for first few months, then it juz stopped working

Cons:

stopped working after 4 months =(
its a pill.,so u must be consistent

im 22 year old female iv been using this about 6 months now really bad whiteheads/zits all over my chin and cheeks . the first few months i took this it worked wonders! i was like OMG finally its over, my skin cleared up completely my scars even stared to fade! but now its a whole differant story, im on my 5th month and i started braking out horribly! its been a month now my skin has been braking out... im still on this. hoping itll clear up again one day... i hope..=(
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June 26, 2011

Pros:

--kept me relatively clear (and completely eliminated bacne)

--seemed to cut down on inflammation (really helped with pustules/cysts).

--seems to kill my appetite

--seems to absorb a lot better than other antibiotics

Cons:

--It was all only a temporary reprieve for me--:(

--Still a pain in the ass to take (all antibiotics are, in my opinion).

--They started giving me purple/blushish skin discoloration!

I took 2 daily for 7-8 months. They are the only antibiotics that seem to work for me (i suspect it's cuz they absorb even if you take them with food--but you still really have to watch what you take them with). Unfortunately, it comes at a price for me--about 4 months in I developed a teeny tiny blackish dot on my calf and later on, a little purpleish discoloration on my lip and tongue. Kinda ironic--plus, it sounds pretty horrible and scary (in fact, i stopped taking the mino and switched to tetracycline for months, on and off after that) but the truth is, I'm not sure I actually regret taking the mino....I scar REALLY easily (half-asian) and while my acne is only moderate, I suffer from the horribly inflamed cyst and pustule type. This stuff was basically the only thing that could stop it in it's tracks (gave me my life back for awhile). Whenever I went off, I would end up REALLY regretting it. The purplish mark on my lip isn't actually noticable (plus, it fades daily due to my perpetually peeling lips) so at that time, it basically seemed like my only option. Still, I'd only recommend it for short periods. Nobody ever bothered to tell me: Antibiotics are not a permanent solution and they may weaken your immune system if you take them too long--like I did. My acne got a little worse in the sense that my body seems to have a harder time fighting the bacteria now. So I almost wish I had just asked for Accutane the first time the antibiotics had failed me (for some reason I didn't think they'd let me, but apparently, my dr was only waiting for me to ask). FYI, I noticed no IB whatsoever with this (or any antibiotic), but I've noticed that to get the best results (again, with any 'biotic) you REALLY have to watch what you eat 2 hours before and after you take 'em (they won't absorb with certain common vitamins/minerals).
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June 21, 2011

Pros:

- Cleared up most of my acne in 1 month!

Cons:

- Takes forever to start working, didn't see the results until the 4th week, but was amazed at how much it cleared up!
- The 2nd day I took it I had really bad side effects (dizziness, light headed, nauseous, etc.) , but I haven't had any further trouble with it!

After quitting my birth control, I have had an awful time with acne! Before, I rarely had a pimple on my face, but after quitting BC I started getting moderately severe acne all over my face, chest, and back (which I have NEVER had even 1 pimple on my body beforehand). I had tried every over the counter method, supplements, differin, EVERYTHING. My derm finally prescribed me minocycline with a higher dose of differin. The first three weeks I was very discouraged because my acne persisted, however on week 4 my acne took a complete turn. My chest is completely 100% clear and my face has NO active pimples (only previous redness that is healing) . My back is still in the process of healing, but the improvements are definitely visible (3 active pimples)! I will be on minocycline for the next 3 months and cannot wait to see the results! I know people have said they have had issues when coming off the medication, but I am extremely hopeful! Give minocycline a try! It works wonders :).
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April 22, 2011

Pros:

clears my rosacea acne

Cons:

taking it every day!
Acne usually gets worse before it gets better because it is working from the inside out.

Stick with it as your acne will get worse first. I don't like the idea of staying on an antibiotic but it is the only thing that works for me.
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March 19, 2011

Pros:

Basically everything.
It's the first thing to actually work.

Cons:

Nothing.

I've tried everything. But this is the only one that actually works. Sure, it took a month or so, but it was totally worth it. I don't really have big acne. just looks of small ones. But not any more. only a few tiny ones that i really don't care about seeing as it used to be a whole lot worse. i've been on 100mg a day for 1.5 months now and i'm so happy. I don't want to be too quick to review just incase it does get worse again so so far i'm happy. My skin is a lot smoother and Waking up in the morning is no longer a time where i have to look in the mirror and moan. I've seen a lot of reviews about side effects, which is bad but i have had none. although the first time i took it i felt a little bit dizzy, but nothing i couldn't get over in 10 seconds.
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January 17, 2011

Pros:

Worked great for about 1 year. Awesome results!

Cons:

Quits working after time.

Like all oral antibiotics I have tried, minocycline failed about a year after I started it. During that year, though, I was breakout-free. It was GLORIOUS. Cystic acne, blackheads, whiteheads... all gone! I just wish it would have lasted forever. Sigh.
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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:

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  • 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.
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