Acne.org Products
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
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.
Used Minocycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 5, 2011
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.
November 24, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Cleared acne and didn't come back when I stopped taking it
Cons:
Took about a month and a half for it to start working
This is a great product if you have moderate acne. Everyone says there are horrible side effects but it just depends on the person. I almost didn't take this medication because of the reviews but after I decided to I thought it was so worth it. Took almost 2 months to start working but cleared up my acne completely... Have been off of solodyn for 4 months and haven't had a pimple since. It's worth a try!
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..=(
November 5, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
cleared skin up within the first week of using
Cons:
felt dizzy the first few days and got the flu after about 4 or 5 days of taking it, which im not sure if it was a result of the medicine weakening my immune system or something else
Im 18 years old and I started getting acne when I was 11 and never really had clear skin since then. I would recommend this if you can deal with possible side effects from it. Ive only been taking it for about a week so I dont know if the side effects are gunna continue. My skin hasnt felt this smooth or looked this clear in a long time.
September 18, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
It Works Right Away
One Pill Can Take it with or without food :)
Cons:
None just that you can't lay down for 30 min.
Okay so i am 17, i had clear skin only had like 2-3 pimples at the most on my face at one time. In the summer i broke out REALLY BAD. i was covered in deep painful pimples on my cheeks, chin and forehead, :(. i went to my family doctor and prescibed me a bunch of stuff, which none worked, so he sent me to a derm. the derm prescirbed me Solodyn 65 mg, and i have to say i was a bit skeptical. but now 2 months later my face is clear and looks healthy, i still have the occasional pimple but not as bad they were before. now im just a lil nervous of coming off this stuff! :/
August 23, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Some skin affects on the face
Cons:
headaches
fatigue
back skin and chest area had hive like pimples
I had told my doctor my hesitation to try another tetracyline product especially since the first one did not work, but the 10 mins she spent in the room she prescribed this in congruent with a topical. I am not sure if it is the topical or the medication itself that works, but both my back and chest area have broken out horribly and they do not get the topical, yet i do recall her saying to wear spf on exposed skin in order to prevent it. It has not helped and i have only been taking it for 2 weeks now.
The price everyone else has paid is because of insurance. if you do not pay for insurance the price is very hefty. i paid an exorbitant amount for only 30 days of 65 mg it was 850 plus tax which i dont remember how much tax was
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).
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 :).
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.
April 12, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
This medication drastically reduced my acne for the most part.
Cons:
As soon as you stop using Solodyn you break out like crazy. Also I experienced vertigo that was really bad at about the 6 month mark and minor liver problems.
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. Seriously find a topical that works for you, this stuff can be dangerous. I can't take it anymore because of the liver problems and severe vertigo I had.
Pros:
Completely cleared my skin up
Didn't have to change my diet
Didn't dry my skin up