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.

 [more]
3.2
1394
Read All About Minocycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
15.6%
4
29.3%
3
24.9%
2
15.9%
1
14.3%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
December 29, 2011

Pros:

Helped the acne

Cons:

9 month minocycline use caused a toxic hepatitis in our son followed by a severe lupus-like, arthritis-like autoimmune disease from which he still has not recovered 10months after stopping the drug

Research the long term side effects on line. If you still want to take the risk and your doctor is not monitoring your liver enzymes ask for the monitoring. If you get any strange side effects on the drug stop using it.
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 28, 2011

Pros:

Seemed to work

Cons:

Price. I had insurance and a savings card, but retail was $986.00!! ALLERGIC REACTION- SEVERE

I am 34 and have never had any type of allergic reaction to any medication. Because of this, I wanted to warn others. After 10 days, my entire body broke out into 1 giant INTENSE, HORRIBLE itching hive. From top of head to bottom of feet. Unable to walk, blacked out twice due to extremely low blood pressure. Ended up in ICU for 3 days. If you take this medication, PLEASE watch out for any allergic reaction.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 23, 2011

Pros:

-less pimples

Cons:

-dizzy/loopy feeling

I had super clear skin up until beginning of freshman year. I started getting some closed comedones (the flesh colored ones) with maybe 2-3 whiteheads. My acne got a lot worse later on during the year, but only on my forehead. I finally went to my derm during the spring & went on this antibiotic. It definitely started reducing the amount of pimples and by summer time I was only left with some PIH marks. I also don't remember having any side effects. I stopped using the antibiotic after about 3-4 months. I was pretty clear all through the summer. Immediately when school started back up again I broke out with pimples on one of my cheeks where I never got pimples... I'm back on Minocyclin again, but this time with adapalene 1% (differin?). The antibiotic seems to be working again... but I'm still getting pimples. (There's always at least 2 on my face) & recently I've been feeling a little dizzy after taking this pill. Although I still recommend it! (ACNE SUCKS!!!!)
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 18, 2011

Pros:

-cleared redness of my acne
-lessened the size of my pimples
-reduced majority of the acne on my cheeks

Cons:

-SIDE EFFECTS: nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, mood swings/emotional (in my case), etc. These side effects continued for a couple of days in my situation.
-leaves hyperpigmentation (I have asian skin)
-takes time to notice results
-You have to take it on an empty stomach D:<
-made my acne worse for the first two weeks
-can be pricey without insurance
-barely helped with my chest/back acne

I'm 15 and I have moderate acne (mostly on my cheek area) My doctor recommended minocycline for my acne. He initially prescribed me 100mg to be taken 2 times daily, but I couldn't handle the side effects! I was very nauseas for the first two days and I was very emotional. I cried for no reason when my mom asked me what I wanted to eat! LOL, so I called my doctor and he said that 100mg once a day was fine. It took a while to get used to because I had to adjust to my eating schedule and I love to eat at different hours of the day. It took a while to see results which bummed me out because my acne got worse for the first two weeks and my doctor said my acne will improve in 10 days (WHAT A LIE). I've been on this medication for about a month now and my ance is getting better, but it's not completely cleared. My doctor didn't prescribe me any topicals so I'm on the regimen (I didn't buy the acne.org products, I just used alternatives) so I think that also helped with my acne. I recommend this if you don't mind the side effects and the change of your diet, but I think there are better products out there. Once I'm finished with this medication, I'm going to ask my doctor about Azelex (azelaic acid) because I read good reviews on it, it's a topical and there are less side effects :)
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 18, 2011

Pros:

It actually works. Reduces size and severity of breakouts. No problems with side effects.

Cons:

It's a little bit more expensive than the other oral antibiotics.

I have used this for years. It isn't just an antibiotic. It is also anti-inflammatory. Using 100mg twice a day. Works even better if paired with dapsone/Aczone.
This Was Helpful

103 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 15, 2011

Pros:

Powerful stuff. It knocked out my acne within a month.

Cons:

It is a temporary fix. It didn't cure the acne.
My derm seemed worried about keeping me on this stuff for a long time.

Powerful alternative to doxy.
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 13, 2011

Pros:

Cheap with insurance, gets rid of majority of acne including cystic pimples

Cons:

Gastrointestinal problems, acne comes back once you stop

I just recently stopped taking minocycline after having taking it for about 3 years. It was working perfectly for me until this past summer when I started getting severe stomach pains, which was later diagnosed as gastritis. I stopped taking the minocycline simply as an experiment to see if it was the culprit of my stomach problems. The gastritis seemed to get better, but after some time passed I began to break out badly again, so I tried taking the minocycline again. The gastritis pains came roaring back. In short, this worked very well for me for a few years before, I guess, it caught up with me.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 22, 2011

Pros:

Gets rid of pimples pretty fast but doesnt completely stop break outs.

Cons:

Doesnt really help with scars and hyperpigmentation

So I started using this product now for about a month and I am 16, it has been working alot! Ive been using it with perscribed benzoyl peroxide gel 10%. I had the acne that hurt to stretch your face because they were literally everywhere. I had pimples all over my chin i can probably say about 10 painful ones just on the chin. After only 5 days all the facial pain went away and the pimples reduced to small bumps. Then after a week all my pimples were sort of gone. I still break out though but much less, like right now i probably have 4 noticible pimples. BUT this product did nothing with my scars, so it still looks like I have multiple pimples everywhere but i dont just marks, I will review this product in another month though to tell how the scars are doing :] also.. i found out that consuming anything especially dairy hours before and after this product isnt recomended so i need to start waching out for that as well
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 18 19 20 21 22 … 106
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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