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
January 20, 2009
Cons:
my skin is starting to itch!
I used minocycline years ago and it worked really well with absolutely no side effects. Now I'm 42 and using it again (middle aged acne AND wrinkles -- life is truly unfair). Anyway, I've been taking it for a few weeks and started having weird itching episodes that are random and come and go... Very odd. Not so bad that I'd stop taking the minocycline, but we'll see how it goes...
December 16, 2008
Pros:
Helped my skinned for the most part,saw little break out
Cons:
My tongue turned purple, like a Chow. my fingernail and toenail both turn dark. My lips turned darked as well.
Ive been off Minocycline for a month now and my face is breaking out REAL bad!! Im trying many different solution, like benadryl, clean &clear and hydrocortisone, and my skin is showing some improvement but once i wake up in the morning, there may be a new zits! I think I will try Minocycline for month and take a month off. Oh, I have experienced some arthritis.
November 6, 2008
Pros:
I could not stay on Minocycline long enough to notice any pros.
Cons:
After taking just six 100 mg capsules I felt like I had the flu. Also started getting bruised spots on my arms. When I was prescribed the medication for Rosacea I already had a headache from chronic dry eye. see below:
He warned me of headache and I asked him how I could tell the difference when I already had one. I quit the meds for a week and started again with one 100 mg dose a day instead of two and still feel bad. Not sure what the outcome of this will be, if I still feel bad after the weekend, I imagine I should go to ER. I will not risk my health with any more antibiotics.
October 10, 2008
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
I've only been taking it for 3 weeks but I have not seen much improvement yet. But I'm still waiting and hoping
Cons:
Ever since I started taking the drug I've gained 2-3 lbs a week. It has also given me strong cravings and a big appetite. I am worried that if I continue to take the medication it I will only get heavier!
Still waiting to see if the Pills have any affect on my acne. And hoping the Craving and Big Appetite will go away soon.
August 25, 2008
Pros:
Althought it took a couple of weeks for the antibotic to kick in, it really did help with my acne a lot. I was so happy that I didnt have to worry about my acne any more, and when I did get pimples they were really nothing.
Cons:
However 6 months in taking the medication,I developed severe headaches, neck pain, and double vision. The medication caused me to get a Pseudotumor in my brain causing double vision.I had to stop taking the pills,and was upset when
I got acne agai
Just be careful of what antibotics you are putting into your body. Before taking the medience check all the side affects, because it can cause serious damage. I was lucky I stopped and went to a very well known hospital, who diagnosed me quickly. Even though my double vision should go away, it may give me perament damage to my optic nerves. I was in pain for a month, and I mean severe pain, just ask questions before you pop pills into your body.
August 17, 2008
Pros:
It did clear up my skin within a few weeks and I have cystic acne which I have found difficult to clear.
Cons:
Minocycline is a known cause of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Something that I developed and which caused me to go partially blind in my left eye. It took the drs too long to find out what I had and I now have to have regular lumbar punctures
It works, but it's not worth your health, eyes or brain. I used it for about 2 years before the cause of my headaches and blurred/double vision was found. I will now have this condition the rest of my life and may have to receive shunts in my head to relieve the pressure from the build up of fluid in my head so that I won't go completely blind. I have to go once a month to my neurosurgeon for a lumbar puncture to check my spinal fluid pressure, once a month to my neuro-opthamologist to have extensive testing to my eyes and who knows what else down the road. Once I found my neurosurgeon, he knew exactly what it was right away and said that Minocycline is known to cause all of these problems and sometimes people go blind before it is caught because dermatologists and primary care doctors have no clue. Will this happen to everyone or even the majority? Highly unlikely. But, make sure to talk to your doctor about all side effects.
July 30, 2008
Pros:
It cleared all the redness from the breakouts.
Cons:
Did not actually get rid of pimples, only got rid of redness.
If you only want the red blotchs that acne cause to go away, use this.
July 17, 2008
Pros:
Cleared skin completely, have had no further break-outs
Cons:
The very first 5 days I experienced lightheadedness, however, it subsided and I have not had any side effects since.
I would DEFINITELY recommend this product. I will admit it was tough fighting through the lightheadedness the first five days or so, however, I stuck with it and let my body get used to it. Do NOT stop taking it if you are lightheaded, it will only take longer for your body to adapt. My story is that I had developed cystic acne after starting work and it cleared up completely within a month of being on minocycline. I have now been on it for 4 months and have not had even one more pimple. I go to my dermatologist once a month and she is recommending I stay on it for a couple more months to be safe. I am also using Retin-A, Duac, and Lustra which are all creams or gels that I recommend. Your dermatologist should have samples of all of those creams for you to try.
July 10, 2008
Pros:
I've used it for years, and it has mostly kept me cyst-free--I get one or two a year now.
Cons:
Can feel like I have heartburn if I don't drink enough water or lie down too soon after taking it. I've started getting the blue spots on my shins that can happen after long use, and it's getting less effective; I now have a cyst that won't go away.
It's been the best antibiotic I've used--and having had acne for 25 years, I've tried lots. I also use Retin A and benzaclin.
June 4, 2008
Pros:
Clears skin up effectively.
Cons:
You have to take it every day.
Makes me nauseous.
I was prescribed minocycline to use in conjuction with a benoyzl peroxide wash and tretinoin (retin-a). This combination has been very effective. I have visibly clearer skin now. Hardly any piimples. The only marks on my face are the scars from previous pimples. Otherwise, I would say the condition of my skin is excellent now. The medicine made me extremely nauseous in the beginning, so I started to take it about 30 minutes before I went to bed, which helped. One major con is, if you take this DO NOT have any alcohol, it makes you feel like you have a hangover x 100. I think the alcohol exacerbates the nausea. I'm not sure if I'm even suppose to drink on this, but when I know that I'll be having a few drinks, I don't take the med that night.
Pros:
works well