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
September 14, 2007
Cons:
Severe allergic reaction. Sunburn rash, swelling/itching of hands and feet, fatigue, severe joint pain, cold chills and almost delirium.
Insurance did not cover cost of drug.
I am going to assume I am allergic to drug. However, my internist disagreed due to the adverse reaction not starting until 1 week into the drug use. However, 3 weeks later I decided to give it another go and took one pill and 48 hours later am still suffering. Another cortisone dose pack starting tomorrow.
Metrogel and avoiding tomatoes, and extreme heat works very well for my rosacea.
August 31, 2007
Pros:
Prevents outbreaks. you might get the one here or there
Cons:
didnt really help my acne at all, sometimes it gave me stomach pains
it depends on you, and your skin specialist
August 23, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up infected acne in a matter of weeks.
Cons:
Didn't clear up my face as a whole, but the redness and pus definitely went away.
It's not a miracle worker, but it definitely makes a big difference. My derm made me take a 100mg pill a day for 12 days, and then a 50 mg pill a day for 24 days. I also use Acne aid soap and topic morning and night. Pretty good so far, I have an appointment with my dermatologist this week again.
December 12, 2016
TC
I am on my fourth day of minocycline, and the nauseousness is at an all time high! I have also had migraine headaches for the few days that I've been taking it; accompanied with canker-like sores in my mouth (all new since starting this medicine). I will say that i have already noticed a small change for the better in the redness on my face, and things seem to be drying up and flaking right off. Now, if only i can deal with these horrible side effects I'm having.
April 24, 2017
Take Vitamin C to avoid side effects, Cecon would be good to take twice a day.
June 23, 2016
Sucks
I took it for a few days, had nausea, and had splitting headaches, way worse than typical side effects. Also, it's important to note that I don't have chronic migraines or anything like that. One headache got really bad, I started having tunnel vision, then I passed out. During the time I took this I also had a lot of difficulty concentrating and completing school work (probably from the headaches!) Not worth the side effects.
April 11, 2016
Allergic Reaction to Minocycline.
I'm 16 and have grade one cystic acne on my face and back. I was just starting to see my acne clear up until 3 weeks into treatment when I had my allergic reaction. I have full body hives. I've had these hives for 2 weeks now, But they have shown a lot of improvement after taking Allegra Gel Caps for the 2 weeks and put on a 5-day 20mg prednisone pill. The hives were my only side effect, and they are virtually gone now, only some redness and heat remaining. I myself have questions on when it will resolve completely, but it can take time to get out of your system. I have also noticed my acne returning. This reaction only happens to one in one hundred people. I hope this is helpful to anyone having an allergic reaction to it or just looking for awnsers.
March 13, 2016
Minocycline for acne?
Hi, so about a year ago I was put on minocycline for acne (akamin 50) with benzoic 5% and it worked quite well on my skin, but I eventually became immune to it. My skin stayed clear for probably... 5months and then it started to get bad again so I got put on doxycycline 50 and I've been on it for 4 months now and have not seen any improvement whatsoever, my face is completely covered in acne and it's quite red too. We went BACK to the doctor and he referred me a script to a dermatologist to go on roaccutane but the term is very expensive and mum doesn't want me on roaccutane. Since I just finished my last dose of doxy, and I've been off it for a few weeks my face looks HORRID. Should I try minocycline again?
January 12, 2016
DID A GOOD JOB
This was the first (and only) acne medication I've taken. Started around 7 months ago. After waiting for this to work (took around 2 months) it finally kicked in and was AMAZING! I'm talking, my friends seriously complimented how smooth and glowing my skin tone was, litterely 0 bumps (even around my period). I feel so confident and looked flawless without makeup. After my prescription ended (after 6 months) I had to wait 3 days to meet up with my doc agan and get it renewed. It was fine during these 3 days and when I started using it again it seemed like my skin recognised the product and it worked. yayyy! Unfortunately, as of around a month ago, this has randomly stopped working !!!??? I didnt skip one, and have continued to take the tablets, but my acne had become worse than before :( deep, cystic acne all over forehead and chin. Very self-conscious. However I shall continue to use it and see what happens. Overall, I do recommend this. Despite its short-term effects, it did work very well for the first few months :))
June 24, 2015
Temporary clear skin at a cost
I was on Mino for 100mg/day for approximately 2 years. For the first year however, I wasn't very consistent with taking my dosage, so I would take it once every week or so. I took it everyday in my senior year and this drug has done wonders for my skin during that year. I would rarely get a breakout, and if I did, it was only 2-3 very big spots (mainly around my menstrual cycle or when I was stressed out), but overall, this was a lifesaver for me. I stopped responding to it a year ago and was prescribed Doxycycline.
Minocycline was the first oral antibiotic I had ever been prescribed with, which is why I think I responded great to it, especially compared to Doxy. However, with every antibiotic, comes the unfortunate and consequent immunity of it, which is what caused my acne to come back again.
I never had any bad side effects whilst being on Mino, but I can definitely say that once I stopped responding to this antibiotic, my face was worse than ever. I started getting cystic acne and very persistent acne, which is why I was switched over to Doxy. But my body has build up such a resistance to the cycline family antibiotics that Doxy only worked 1.5-2 months for me before my acne came back again.
I'd say antibiotics work best on mild acne. It may also work for moderate acne (which is what I had), but honestly, after being on Mino and Doxy, I am now suffering with moderate-severe acne just because of the immunity of the antibiotics I have taken.
July 9, 2015
You might have to try a stronger antibiotic. I don't know why they would prescribe you doxy it's from the same family as Minocycline and in my opinion it's weaker than Minocycline. You need to go on a very strong antibiotic like Bactrium I heard its cures many people acne.
June 18, 2015
Nothing worked like this for me
This worked wonders for my skin for the longest amount of time. The reviews are /really/ mixed on here, but I was able to clear most of my skin with it. After being on it for 6 months, I was taken off of it because my dermatologist thought it was concerning that I was on it for that long. As soon as I stopped taking it, my skin was uncontrollable. I did have an increased dose. I don't have them anymore, so I don't remember it, but I went as high up as they would give me lol.
Pros:
Seemed to clear rosacea breakouts