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
June 18, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Cons:
Absolutely, positively, no negative comments about this medicine.
As of last month, I have ditched Solodyn. I couldn't be happier with the results, though. My acne, although it hasn't disappeared, looks like it has been treated professionally! Every so often, i would get a minor flaring break out, but it was very easily healed with a regular facial wash. It really did get rid of bacteria from my face because I really noticed pimples just disappearing after using this! I've even been getting comments from my friends saying that they've noticed a change in my face and that I look so much better :D
I did see the review below that your acne can return in 3 months... but, I think that all depends on your own, unique skin.
As for me, I'm slightly lucky. I no longer have small red spots on my face. I'm totally clear now, and get a medium sized one every so often.If you have skin like I used to have (widespread, small red spots, and just a smidge oily), then I most definitely recommend this medicine for you.
July 3, 2010
Pros:
NONE!!!!
Cons:
Lupus
I should have written this 2 years ago. My daughter was put on minocycline for her acne. I didn' t want her taking accutane because of the side effects so she was given this instead. I didn't research this drug because I was told its an antibiotic(no big deal). Guess what its a BID DEAL!!! She ended up with Drug Induced LUPUS!!!! PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE. If you look at the side effects you would NOT take this medication. After 2 hospitalizations, searching for a competent doctor and finding one at COLUMBIA Medical Center she is finally off medications as of May 2010. This has been going on since October 2008. We are waiting to see what her bloodwork shows since her last labs 2 weeks ago showed her liver enzymes
elevated again! She may be put back on IMURAN which helps with the swelling. She was on medrol before that for 10 months (another dangerous medication). All this for clear skin...not. I kick myself for allowing my 16 yr old to be damaged in this way. Please I beg all those who want clear skin...your health is more important. WHO CARES WHAT YOUR SKIN LOOKS LIKE IF YOU ARE DEAD. This should be taken off the market so other children aren't affected and now that my roller coaster ride is almost over I will see to it.
March 15, 2010
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Worked quickly, in less than 2 days I could sense an improvement. Side effects were mild for me, first pill made me a little loopy but had absolutely no reaction to it afterward.
Cons:
For me, none.
I have had horrible cystic acne since I was about 16, while I was on birth control from 18-24 I had no problems, as soon as I went off the bc my skin went crazy. In an effort to quit tanning booths (the only thing that sort of helped) I saw the derm and she gave me solodyn. I took a 30 day course along with topical clindamycin and tretoinin which finished about a month ago and my skin is totally clear still. Haven't had hardly any superficial problems and ZERO painful lesions which is incredible, because before the solodyn I would get 10-12 big painful lumps right around my period every month. It's such a relief.
May 5, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
-Clears Cystic Acne
-Inexpensive with Promotion
-Minimal Side Effects Which Went Away After 1st Week
-Prevents Initial Breakout From Topical Products
Cons:
-Slightly Shaky First Few Days
-Itchy Skin For a Few Days
I have never really suffered from severe acne before and pro activ always kept my skin controlled and clear. Upon enter college my skin broke out worse than ever, I had no desire to see my boyfriend, friends, or even go to class; I would just lock myself in my room and cry over how painful the cysts were and how hideous they made me feel. I went to a dermatologist and he prescribed Solodyn tablets to take in the morning with plenty of water, aczone gel, and tretin-x. I must say that I have never had such clear skin and I'm only on week 4 of this new regimen. The combonation of sll 3 medicines has created a balance in my skin and allowed for even my scars from previous breakouts to heal. I love my skin right now, and you can too! There is a solution for every type of acne...I recommend all 3 of these products they are phenomenal especially when used together!
May 2, 2011
Pros:
Clears skin!
Cheap with my insurance
Cons:
Took about a month to notice results
My acne was severe. I had a very bad flare up that consisted of painful, under the skin, acne. My dermatologist gave me this and it cleared my skin in a month. Now just waiting for red marks to fade.
June 9, 2010
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
clears skin up fast
no more ichtiness or redness
my skin isn't making so much oil
no side effects ( for me, everyone is different)
Cons:
only that I didn't get it sooner!
If you really want a solution read this, I had acne that was so bad I would cry over how my skin looked. I know its hard to trust a review's source but I am writing this for the person at the end of their rope like I was.I had bad horomonal acne from high androgen levels due to PCOS. It was all over my face, neck, back, and chest, and worst than that was the oiliness I experienced. I looked lke I was sweaty 24/7. Bumpy and sweaty: not a good combo. Also Iwould get deep painful cyst, and red itchy patches on my face. My skin was unpredictable and I tried proactive, dozens of topical creams, u name it I used it, all with no avail. when something did get close to keeping my skin clear it either just stopped working or it'd dry me out, without getting rid of the bumps. It sucked. but literally within days I noticed my face clearing up. My husband said "baby, your glowing, what have you been doing? your face looks awesome". I couldn't believe it and as time progressed it keeps getting better, its soft and smooth and clear....finally. I am also glad to say that I no longer look like I have been inches away from a fryer all day lol...the oil is gone. my skin is healthy and I feel pretty again so I would advise anyone to try this, ask your derm and hopefully u get good results too. Also I think I should tell what else I use as part of my regimen: Loreal 360 deep clean(the green one), and for spot treatments for flare ups (like around my cycle) some retinoid cream, I cant remeber the name and neutragena combination skin moisterizer. But I really am greatful my doctor suggetsed trying this method, I feel like I have my face back.
April 8, 2010
Pros:
Clears up acne almost overnight when 1st using.
Cons:
Only worked for me about the first month, The dizziness is hard at first.
Acne starts to come back in a few months with each period. Felt tired.
I dont think this worked for me well over the long term, my Dr. switched me to Zithromax, I hope this will work better.
March 1, 2010
Pros:
- moderate improvement
- inexpensive, if you have insurance
Cons:
- long term use will seriously affect your immune system
- does not work as well as Accutane
I took minocycline and many other antibiotic medications for acne during junior high and high school. A few years later, I got many yeast infections, one of which would not go away and lead to a systemic yeast infection that lasted for around 7 months. Some doctors don't believe in systemic yeast but essentially, the yeast seems to permeate your system and can cause a wide array of bad things to happen; i knew I had it when i realized that what I ate affected how i felt "down there." I strongly believe that my immune system was affected by taking oral antibiotics for acne for many years. I don't get colds or things a lot, but I really learned from my systemic yeast experience that taking oral antibiotics is dangerous, don't help acne if you scratch for emotional reasons or if you have hormonal acne, and messes up your immune system so that it can't fight off diseases and things on your own. Sometimes, taking that 7-day acne antibiotic treatment can be a lifesaver if you've got a really bad breakout... but daily oral antibiotics for months, maybe years, is not a good choice for your overall health. Acne sucks (had it for 13 years) but you have to think about the health of your whole system, not just your face, when you consider oral antibiotics! For me, it wasn't worth it.
January 21, 2010
Pros:
It cleared up my acne!
Cons:
Made me nauseas on an empty stomach.
I love this antibiotic. I have not experienced any bad side effects except the occasional nauseas feeling if taken on an empty stomach. It cleared up my cysts and has drastically changed the appearance of my acne. I've been taking it for 3 weeks now, and I'm sure it will just get better from here. I'm so thankful to find something that works for me.
August 31, 2015
Caused Pseudo Tumor Cerebri
I took this when I was 17 for my acne. After being on it for only two weeks I started to notice neck pain, headaches, and nausea. After awhile moving and eating just made me vomit. My mom had taken me to the family doctor and the emergency room two times because I could not keep anything down and my head hurt so bad. One of my eyes actually stopped tracking. We finally went to another hospital where I had a spinal tap and a neurologist diagnosed me with Pseudo Tumor Cerebri which was determined to be caused by the Minocycline. I then had to take medicine for several months to reduce the pressure of spinal fluid in my brain and spinal column. Scary stuff!!
January 4, 2016
Wow, I was diagnosed with the same thing from the same medicine. However, I got the vision and dizziness side effects. Vision problems for someone with near 20/20 vision was an alarm trigger for my family. I got put into a hospital for 3 lumbar punctures and a medicine called Diamox, I just kept getting worse. So one day I stopped taking everything. I've cleared up, no more swelling :D, but I have some back nerve damage and the vision blackout and dizziness come back on rare occasions. I wish they had told me when they handed me the Minocycline that this crap was permanent and scary XD, I would've said screw it, I'll keep my blackheads. Now I'm happy with my acne :D
Pros:
Deep dark marks were cleared
Breakout severity minimized!!!!
Pill was easy to swallow
My skin looked healthier in general
NO MORE LITTLE RED SPOTS ALL OVER MY FACE! :D