Minocycline
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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%
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29.3%
3
24.9%
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15.9%
1
14.3%

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June 26, 2014
Just wow
I have had acne since I was 12 (I am 17 now), and nothing I have ever used has worked. Until this. I have a medium ammount of acne, and I usually get it around my jaw, my cheeks, around my eyebrows and around my lips. I got this prescribed at 100mg (1 pill) per day. It has only been 2 weeks and I can see some changes. My pimples have stopped growing for the most part, and all the redness of them has gone down a lot. I use it with prescribed topical once every night, and now my face just feels so soft and smooth. I do get minor side effects, such as some disiness, nausea and head aches, but I feel that they are very minor and tolerable, especially seeing how good it has done on my skin.
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August 22, 2013
Such a great thing

Pros:

Cheap
Clears skin

Cons:

Dryness

I just started this about three weeks ago! It has worked incredibly well. I also use Proactiv. The medicine has dried out my face a lot though, seems to be going away. I recommend this. My friend also uses it and she has told me nothing but great things.
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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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July 25, 2013
prayer is heard

Pros:

easy to have
cheap
works great but slow

Cons:

not permanent solution(everyones different though)

i have had severe cystic acne on my face (cheek area) and then went to a dermatologist and had been offered accutane, but declined it. Minocycline was given as an alternative with Differin 0.1% gel. i had 200mg a day for 6 months and it worked wonders and left my face completely clear. After around 12 months once i got off minocycline, my cystic acne has returned but not as severe.
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March 8, 2013

Pros:

Works great,
Small pill once a day

Cons:

Have to remember to take it
Makes you sensitive to sun on face so you must use sunscreen

Tried many things with doctore and finally a combination of birth control pills, the minocyclen and lovoclen 8 percent creamy was has kept my acne to a minium. If I forget to take the pills or not use the face wash it flares back up. I had insurance is pills were only $5 per month
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January 21, 2013

Pros:

Completely clears acne
no side effects when taken short term
got rid of cysts & nodules

Cons:

it gets worse before it gets better

The first three weeks it pulls everything to the surface, the last week it clears. give it a month
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December 23, 2012

Pros:

Very cheap here ($12 AUSD for 28 days worth) but i think this is because part of the cost is covered by the goverment PDS scheme, very effective for me for most aspects of my acne, no side effects that i've noticed

Cons:

Doesn't do anything to combat the cystic outbreak that I very occasionally get when i have big hormonal fluctuations but I use Diane 35ED birth control to help with that aspect (note i have noticed mood changes with that medication but nearly all birth control does that to me)

Talk to your doctor and make sure you watch for the listed side effects but I love this product it has changed my self esteem vastly - not only the appearance of my skin but also my skin is much less 'nobbled'. it doesn't really touch my blackheads (which aren't too noticeable anyway) or any hormone-based breakouts
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October 13, 2012

Pros:

It is clearing mine up.

Cons:

It doesnt make me feel too bad, But I do have slight side effects.

IF YOU STOP: You MUST wash your face, Normally. Just like others, Just because it cleared up doesn't mean it will stay that way. You have to maintain a normal hygiene routine That's why your face could be reverting back to how it was before. KEEP YOUR FACE CLEAN!!! >:L
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October 3, 2012

Pros:

Clears up my skin quickly.
Very cheap in Aus

Cons:

Feel a bit dizzy for the first few days of taking it.

I had fairly mild acne, breakouts mainly around my jawline. I was prescribed Minocycline by my doctor and it made my skin slightly worse before it got better. After a few weeks I didn't get any break outs at all. I stayed on the medication for about 3months in total, but about 2months after stopping my skin has gone back to how it was in the beginning. I have just started taking it again and I am hoping that I have the same results that I had the first time.
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July 4, 2012

Pros:

- Worked quickly
- No breakouts, no pimples (or very tiny ones)
- Kept my skin clear

Cons:

- Started getting little red oily bumps all over when I skipped for 2 days

Antibiotics never worked for me UNTIL I took Roaccutane. I had to quit Roaccutane early because of the bad-ass side effects it brought but it did help my acne immensely. Now I keep it under control with antibiotics. Antibiotics work alot better after you've done a few months of roaccutance (3 months for me), so give them another try if you've done the roaccutane but still get some acne. Oh well.. the whole point of accutane was NOT to have any more acne. But I guess I'm unlucky :p Don't take antibiotics for too long tho (like 2-3 years). If Benzoyl peroxide works or Differin works, only take antibiotics during a school term/before a special event etc. If you're just going to be sitting around at home on holidays, don't take months of these, it's pointless and it's not that great for your body (can stain your teeth) It's better to go on/off good luck guys!
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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.
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