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 13, 2013
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Caused low white blood cell count
Cons:
Caused low white blood cell count
This product worked great for me for 2 years. I did not see any negative side effects until I got a routine blood draw. My white blood cell count was so low my doctor suspected Leukemia and recommended a bone marrow test. Thankfully we did our research before proceeding. Solodyn can cause a low white blood cell count and other auto-immune problems (you can find this info on the manufacturer's website). I stopped taking the drug and my count went back to normal!
January 13, 2017
After you stopped taking the Solodyn, did your acne come back?
November 12, 2013
Didn't work:(
Cons:
Wasn't effective
Was given a 3 month prescription with high hopes, did nothing the entire 3 months, if anything made my skin worse!
September 4, 2013
Short term and barely works
Cons:
Barely works
May cause depression
I had been prescribed minocycline about a year ago and used it for about two months and it barely worked. I gave up but my acne somehow cleared up over the winter. Enter spring: another breakout, so I got another prescription of minocycline. It barely worked and even made me depressed and nearly suicidal, which would subside a few hours after usage. I stopped immediately and have been fine ever since.
September 1, 2013
Side effects were bad
Cons:
Bad side effects
Had to stop taking
Stomach hurt
My stomach hurt bad when I took this. I felt like I had a constant stomach ache. Pretty horrible. Stopped taking it after a few days so not sure if it actually helps with acne.
June 17, 2013
feel so sick
Cold sweats. Feel like puking. Extremely dizzy. Not going to take it again. I walked to the kitchen a little bit ago and i could see stuff moving the way sparklers move when you wave em real fast. I'm having a really hard time even typing this right now because they backlight on my keyboard is freaking me out. I feel like my eyes are moving really fast. I'm going to lay down before I hurt myself.
June 15, 2013
Horrible Side Effects
Pros:
Cheap
Cons:
Side effects
Short lasting
I was on minocycline for a few months time. My acne started to clear pretty quickly but shortly after my acne must have built a resistance to this medications because I started to break out and it was worse than when I started. My dermatologist then decided it would be better to increase my dosage I agreed and suddenly side effects started to kick in. I woke up one morning and when I got out of bed my knees were in a horrific amount of pain and I collapsed to the ground. I was brought to the hospital right away because my knees were swollen beyond belief. The ER figured I had arthritis and put me on heavy steroids which helped. But after the steroids I would flare up again. I saw specialist after specialist and no one could figure out why I was flaring up. So finally I decided I was just going to stop all the medications I was taking because nothing was helping and I was getting sick. This included stopping the minocycline. Within the week of stopping the medications I was able to walk pain free and my knees went back to normal and lost all the inflammation. Months later I met with my dermatologist and she asked me why I stopped taking the mino. I explained the story and she said oh my god why didn't you call me and tell me that was happening. It was the minocycline causing the flare ups. It is a rare side effects but it can happen. Unfortunatly the damage had already happened and my joint have been damaged. This medication proved to be a 6 months nightmare for me.
May 3, 2013
Pros:
Improves acne
Lessens redness
Cons:
Not a long-term treatment
Terrible headaches
I started to have acne around the age of 12, and it eventually got worse. My doctor put me on minocycline when I was 14. The first month or two it started to help a little. I noticed that I got fewer breakouts. Though after about 3-4 months it started to get worse again, and now it doesn't even help my skin.
March 18, 2013
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
None
Cons:
Hives
Burning and Itching all over
Dizzyness
Body Aches
My daughter took this medication for 3 weeks. She suddenly broke out in hives. They looked like someone beat her with a belt. They were burning and itchey. She wanted to jump out of her skin. This lasted about 2 weeks. Cannot in good conscience recommend this to anyone.
March 10, 2013
I really cannot say if this product if effective of not.. BUT- side effects were instantly noticed. Prescribed dose of 100mg @ AM & PM. First dose: Wednesday night 100 mg; second dose Thursday morning, 100 mg. I didn't feel myself, thought it was from being tired. I began to realize that I didn't feel present. Continued taking medication, and continued to feel this way.. it is called depersonalization. I have felt spacey, as if I am just going through the motions. I am stopping this medication.
January 27, 2013
Pros:
Helped a little bit before I got an allergic reaction to it.
Cons:
Severe allergic reaction.
After two weeks of taking it, I started to have an allergic reaction. My eyes started to swell to the point of not being able to open them. I developed hives all over my body. I had swelling in my hands and feet, causing severe pain in my hands, feet, and knees. Loss of appetite for several days. I also was very dizzy. The itching kept me up for most of the night.
Pros:
Cleared up acne