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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3.2
1394
5
15.6%
4
29.3%
3
24.9%
2
15.9%
1
14.3%

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November 25, 2007

Pros:

Definitely cleared up my cystic acne.

Cons:

Although I have taken this some years ago, this time was very different. Within a couple of days I began to experience a very achy upper back and then arms, lower back, and legs. I didn't make the link to the Minocen b/c this didn't happen in past.

This time, though, the dermatologist had me on two pills a day - 100 mg each. In the past I was on one pill a day, though was told to take two right away and then one a day. So perhaps it was just too much. When I began to get really concerned with how I was feeling, and found online that this side-effect was not uncommon, I immediately stopped taking them. That was two days ago. I'm still a bit achy but not like I was. Now I'm afraid to go back on the drug, even one a day. I was only on it for a few weeks and the acne has cleared. So I'm thinking if it doesn't come back I'll just leave it for now. If it does, I'll revisit the derm (when I can get in!) and see what he says.
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November 14, 2007

Pros:

got rid of most of my acne!

Cons:

not eating before/after the dose

This medicine took a few months to start working, but once it did, it was great. I do not have much acne anymore, and i barely get large pimples. And if I do get a large pimple, it heals really quickly!
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November 12, 2007

Pros:

Greatly helped reduce my breakouts, noticed a great improvement after only a month!

Cons:

I started getting blue spots, so I had to be taken off it.

If you have moderate acne, and don't suffer from random/rare side effects (like blue spots) go for it!
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November 8, 2007

Pros:

It cleared up my acne in like 4 days and I was clear for a full month

Cons:

I'm on my 6th week and my acne came back a few days ago but it's fading now

The Doc said to wait 6 weeks for it to take full effect so i'm hoping after this week I won't have any zits. I take it once a day with Retin-A at night
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October 15, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up skin right away... within days. Do have blurred vision ever since then... anyone else?

Cons:

Blurred vision

Had my eyes lasered and now they are getting worse since being on Solodyn. :( So what do I choose... achne or vision. :(
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October 14, 2007

Pros:

For the most part it does the job

Cons:

Occasional flare ups, continual use

I've had severe acne issues since puberty, and at age 31 I finally saw a dermatologist. He prescribed minocycline, and it's been six years. The first few years he had me on 200mg a day (100 twice a day), with instructions to see if I could cut it down to 150mg a day. At 150mg a day I had frequest flare ups, while at 200mg my skin is normally clear, though I do have the occasionaly flare up about once every month or two on the 200mg dosage. The doctor finally concluded that lowering my dosage wasn't an option, so it's 200mg a day from here on. Compared to pre-treatment, minocycline has done the job for me. It's been six years since I started on it, but I don't remember having any side effects.
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October 4, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up all the pimples on my chin, where my acne was the worst.

Cons:

I still have pimples everywhere else.

Everyone seems to be taking it different to me.. I've been taking it twice a day with food for about 3 months and i was told not to lie down for an hour after taking it to reduce the likeihood of headaches (which i haven't had). Towards the end of the first month i really noticed the difference in my chin it's pretty much clear now which i'm pretty happy with. But it hasn't helped clear up any other areas of my face.. maybe a few less blackheads, but thats all.
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October 2, 2007

Pros:

so far has cleared skin quickly

Cons:

has to be taken on an empty stomach, makes me dizzy and naseous

My derm put me on Spironolactone with Duac and Differin, and the spiro made my skin much worse for some reason, so after two months she switched me to minocycline. It's been about a week and my skin has improved pretty well. It's more smooth, and the existing acne isn't nearly as inflamed. The side effects kinda suck though. I feel dizzy and a bit queasy for a few hours after taking it if my stomach is empty, which it has to be if you want it work because otherwise it will bond with other vitamins and won't be absorbed properly. Having to wait an hour after taking it to eat can be inconvenient in the morning too. However, it's working so well that so far the side effects are worth it.
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September 23, 2007

Pros:

It seems to be working great. So far no new pimples and the ones I had are barely even there now.

Cons:

None

I am taking 2 100mg pills a day and also applying Duac gel at night and it seems to be working great. So far no side effects. I recommend using moisturizer on your face twice a day though to keep it from drying out.
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September 23, 2007

Pros:

Works well off the start. Helps the skin produce lesser amounts of oil.

Cons:

Can tend to dry out skin. Skin may tan or redden easier due to lack of oils. May cause constipation due to lack of bacteria in the intenstines.

I found initially this product helped my skin a great deal. After a couple of months the breakups returned. I find this product works great off the bat but slowly my body became immune to it. I find the best way to have clear skin is simply lots of water, excercise, avoiding fatty foods, iodine, pot, tobacco and any other sort of drug.
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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.
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