Oral Antibiotic
Reviews
3.2
1954 Reviews
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Oral Antibiotic
Side Effects
High
Oral Antibiotic
Acne.org’s Real World Take
Antibiotics should be used for a maximum of 3 months, provide only moderate benefit and only to some people, and may lead to side effects and strains of resistant bacteria. Studies do show they can reduce severe acne in the short term, but approach with caution and stay your own advocate.
Oral Antibiotic
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Minocycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
17.3%
4
27.7%
3
24%
2
16%
1
14.9%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 2, 2009

Pros:

Skin was completely clear in 2 months

Cons:

can make you dizzy and sick.

Highly Recommend taking Minocycline. It is the only product that has ever worked!!
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November 28, 2009

Pros:

works after about two months i was completly clear

Cons:

long term side-effects can be very dangerous

no stomach just pricy but works well
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July 23, 2009

Pros:

Reduced acne

Cons:

Doesn't completely clear it up

Acne was mild. There were breakouts every now and then.
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May 1, 2009

Pros:

Slowly reduced my acne
Cheap, affordable

Cons:

Its a slow product, took me a bit of time

I was on it with some 4% benzol Peroxide cream and Differin gel. Its been 2 months and iv been taking 100mg a day because its telling me too. Iv seen some good improvement but some acne moved to the side of my face and im getting blackheads which iv never gotten before. Im thinking about just taking 100mg twice a day even if it doesnt tell me to because it seems to be working for everyone else. I havent gotten any side effects. Only issue that i had that made it go slower was that i accidently left a week before refills. One thing with anitbiotics is taht u have to take it consistantly or they WONT work. I wanted accutane at first b/c im pissed about how my friend who had TERRIBLE acne got cured before me who has moderate. Everytime a girl is asked if they think im hot they ALLL reply "yeah hes really hot except for his acne" FML!!!!!!!!
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January 30, 2009

Pros:

clears skin up

Cons:

when i first started taking it i felt so sick for about the first 2 weeks after my body got used to it i felt fine and my acne cleared up alot. i heard that after taking it for long period of time ur skin can start turning blue.

i've been taking it for about 5 months now my face is clear but i'm afraid of what will happen after i stop taking it and i dont want ot be on it forever cuz of the blue skin that might happen
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September 16, 2008

Pros:

COMPLETELY cleared my skin of moderate acne (cysts and regular zits, alike).

Cons:

Unsafe to take for longer than 3 months...Also, felt strange pressure in my chest, occasionally (not sure whether to attribute this to the Solodyn or my bra, though)...Costs over $500 without insurance, but I have United so I only paid $40/bottle.

Some seem to have reported serious adverse side-effects as a result of using this product, however as of yet (thankfully) I have yet to encounter any. I think it is very likely that a significant number of ppl could benefit from this medication if taken as directed. I took Solodyn in conjunction with several vitamins (C, E and Zinc) and topical medications (Tazorac, Clearasil acne spot treatment, etc)...I have been off the pill for a week but am now on birth control to compensate for the loss...So far so good!
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March 14, 2008

Pros:

I have found it is working. Not as well i i would like. But it is still working.

Cons:

THis medicine is supposed to take a couple of months to start working, so if it has not started it should in a month or so.

works well no side affects other than aches and pains
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May 15, 2017
its ok..
My doctor prescribed me minocycline 100mg twice a day for about a month and a half. When I first took it, my stomach ached. After the first week, there was no results. In the second week, my skin broke out like CRAZY but in the third week, all my breakouts disappeared. My skin was clear until I finished taking it. As soon as I stopped taking it, my skin broke out on my cheeks and chin and it stayed like this till I found a new treatment. My forehead stays clear for some reason after I took minocycline. I WOULD RECOMMEND NEUTROGENA stubborn acne face wash. It cleared me up very quickly and did not break me out when I stopped using it!
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September 9, 2015
Great Success! Worth the Wait
I have been taking this medication daily for just over 2 months now, and I finally have nearly clear skin. I've struggled with cystic acne since I was 13 (now 22) but it was never bad enough to where I just wanted to hide in my room for months until about 2 years ago. I started getting getting more than just cystic acne and it was all over the lower half of my cheeks and sometimes on my chin. I didn't start seeing results until 2 or 3 weeks ago, but it was like it all vanished at once. Today I only have 2 small cysts and the rest of my skin is completely clear (though it's hard to tell due to the massive amount of scarring.) Despite the face that I've also been trying a few topical products alongside this, I'm sure that Solodyn is responsible for most of the success since I've tried almost everything topical under the sun over the last 9 years and have never had results come even close to clear. The other products I've been using are Acanya, Cetaphyl oil control wash and Cetaphyl oil control moisturizer SPF 15, also recently added Aloe straight from the plant.
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February 6, 2015
works wonders.... until you get off of it
title of the post says it all. it didn't clear ALL my acne, but it sure as hell helped it. i've been taking this pill for about 2 years (yes, that's bad, i know) and gone off of it a total of two times.... and those two times i've never broken out worse in my entire life. very risky drug... & like all antibiotic's it's not a perminent solution.
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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.

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.