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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5
15.8%
4
28.7%
3
25.1%
2
15.9%
1
14.6%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

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June 6, 2011

Pros:

Cleared acne somewhat after 3 months
Small pills

Cons:

Horrible mood swings
Broke out in odd new places
worked slowly
annoying to take due to dairy limitations

I have had acne for years and my new dermatologist prescribed me minocyline at three pills a day. I was scared of taking the 3 due to the issues with lupus and other that I heard about. I took two for 3 months. My skin cleared up, but I was irritable all the time and felt a bit foggy. I had a particularly bad breakout and started to take three. Biggest mistake ever. I had the worst mood swings ever, and I was so angry all the time that I scared myself and my friends and family. I would say and do things that were not me. Don't take minocycline. it's not worth your time at ALL. I hate my dermatologist for ever putting me on this horrible medicine.
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October 11, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up my skin extremely well.

Cons:

I am still on it and it causes me insomnia and "backne" (back acne)

Overall it works. It got rid of my acne. I stopped taking if for about a week and my acne came back, so I went back on it. I just hope I don't get lupus or hyperpigmentation from this product.
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February 17, 2010

Pros:

It did clear up my skin infection for a small period of time, until i got off of it. Still not worth anything.

Cons:

IVE BEEN BATTLING A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION TO THIS DRUG SINCE THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING. I had developed post-serum sickness to this medicine. My doctor never told me it was an antibiotic, unbelievable isn't it. I started to get hives exactly 2 weeks after my first dosage, then body aches, and joint pain. Also twisted an upper arm muscle in this whole experience due to joint and body pain. After being a guinea pig for 4 doctors, my pharmacist finally found Minocycline to be the bad guy.

Be careful and think twice about trying out this antibiotic, because its an antibiotic. Some doctors like mine -_- dont realize to tell their patients the severity of side effects that could happen to them, and the dangerous side effects other people have had in the past while taking this drug. I never want to go through this experience ever again in my life, i dont trust my family doctor the same, i go to specialists now unless i have a simple cold. Because of all of this-i really dont want others to go through the same thing i went through. Its just not worth risking your health when there are other acne medicines out there. Also another piece of advice, always do your research or make your doctor clearly explain what medicine he/she is prescribing to you, and if the medicine is ever considered dangerous. Minocycline sure is.
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November 9, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my 16 year old son's acne in about 2 weeks when nothing else worked. His face looks 80% better than it did prior to taking the medication. Getting a refill today.

Cons:

The cost: $140 for a 30 day supply.

Worked for him! Thank goodness
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November 6, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my skin almost perfectly

Cons:

I have to take it twice a day and without food. 1 hour before or 2 to 3 hours after i eat. but other then that theres really nothing to it :)

Amazing. :)
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October 10, 2009

Pros:

Works for the first few weeks
No side effects at all (except for the acne!)

Cons:

Stops working
You can not stay on this forever - it is not healthy at all to take antibiotics for prolonged periods

It definitely worked to begin with but I think my skin became resistant. It was very strange - it certainly helped to prevent large, cystic pimples form forming, any that did form were small and disappeared very quickly. However, about 6 weeks in I started having very persistant breakouts in places that I never usually breakout. Ever. There was literally nothing I could do get rid of these breakouts. As soon as I stopped taking it my skin cleared up very quickly. A month or so on and it is starting to break out again in the same places it did with minocylcin. I blame the minocyclin for this. I am breaking out on my forehead and have not done so for about 15 years. Still very glad to be off it! Will look elsewhere for remedies. I say give it a shot as it seems to work for some people but for me it was definitely not a miracle cure and I'd say my skin eventually became much worse on it.
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September 1, 2009

Pros:

Helped clear a bit of my skin up, relatively cheap

Cons:

stained my teeth yellow, made me burn easily

Did improve my acne, but the results weren't nearly as good as I would have liked. Then I discovered that it was responsible for staining my teeth, I had to stop using it. I would give it a try! It seems like many different people have different results.
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July 23, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my acne!!! =D

Cons:

Nothing but some flaky skin every once in a while.

About 3 days after i started taking Minocycline my acne came to surface like crazy!!! I had them all over my forehead for about a week... But then the second week or so my acne started cleared day by day and after about 3-4 weeks of taking only 50 mg my acne was totally by far clear!!! I looked like i was a newborn baby with all that fresh skin!!! =)) lol I have been using it for two months and of course (cause im a normal teenage GIRL) I will get the ocassinal pmple every week or so and maybe one big pimple a month because of my girl cycle...AMAZING pill and i think its just the same as Accutane but not the bad side effects and not so strong and its not bad for u like Accutane is... I recomend this to anyone that asks or has acne and just cant handle it anymore!!! My acne was mild to moderate... But now it is super mild to very mild!!!! Whoo hoo!!!!!!! :-) PS... In the box below that says acne severity i put moderate because thats what it used to be!!! Whoo thanks
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June 24, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne initially with minimal side effects. No dizziness, nausea, or anything like that for me.

Cons:

The clear skin never lasted. Plus, I used it for too long (on and off for several years). This caused my acne to go down deeper into my skin, and also caused blueish bruise-looking things under my skin on my thighs and calfs.

I think minocycline will work fine for a short-term clearing, but don't expect your acne to stay away. And definitely don't be stupid like me and start ordering it off the internet. I was more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear plenty of sun block. I really think acne can ultimately outsmart broad spectrum antibiotics. It comes back stronger and more stubborn. Be careful with minocycline and don't stay on it very long (few months). I've put "No" in the "Recommended?" question. However, I think for short-term clearing it's fine.
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June 19, 2009

Pros:

Didn't do anything bad to my skin.

Cons:

Made me incredibly nauseous.

So I figured I'd go through and review everything I've used, because I have used a LOT over the last 12 years. This particular antibiotic made me crazy sick, which is weird, since I normally never have reactions to antibiotics. I literally had to leave class to throw up, but didn't make the connection to minocycline until several days later, when I was still puking after every meal (after which I would faithfully take my pill). I stopped immediately and the symptoms went away at once. Didn't really have a chance to see how it worked for my skin!
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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