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
November 15, 2012
Cons:
-Intense side effects first two weeks
-Took 2 months to see a noticeable result
-On medication for a long time
A little bit after my 20th birthday, my skin took a turn for the worst...every week I would find anywhere from 1-3 cystic breakouts near my chin or nose. The texture of my skin was also extremely bumpy all over! My poor complexion was starting to affect my social life, and I knew it was time for a change. I went to my derm and asked what I could do or take to help my skin condition. He recommended adding minocycline to my topical BenzaClin treatment. I had nothing to lose, so I gave it a shot. I had the worst side effects the first two weeks. I was fatigued, felt dizzy, lost my appetite, and suffered from nausea. I told myself that I'd keep taking it if my side effects disappeared after the first two weeks, and thankfully they did. It took a little over two months for my skin to improve dramatically. I'm so glad that I was patient and persevered with the treatment! Four months to the date, I have no cystic breakouts and my skin texture has improved dramatically. I can finally go outside without makeup without feeling like I look disgusting. I know that everyone reacts differently to medications, but if you give it a try, STICK WITH IT!
October 17, 2012
Pros:
None. Really, none.
Cons:
Did nothing to my skin, maybe made it a little worse but didn't do anything else.
Minocycline did not help me at all. It did absolutely nothing after religiously taking the medication for two months, if not slightly worsen it. Don't waste your time.
March 30, 2012
Pros:
Did clear up my skin somewhat
Less expensive than other prescriptions
Cons:
Required progressively higher doses to work
Caused a vaginal yeast infection (my first ever)
Not safe if you become pregnant!!!
Not a long-term solution, since the dose kept needing to be increased and indefinite high doses of antibiotics are incredibly unhealthy. I quit after some months because I started getting yeast infections (yuck!) and digestive side effects (nausea, etc). Also didn't ever clear up my skin completely.
Not worth the risks in my book!
November 16, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Beautiful Skin
Cons:
It's an antibiotic.
Can cause stomach upset.
I've been using Solodyn for a temporary treatment to keep my mild, yet stubborn, facial and body acne under control before/during my wedding and honeymoon. Solodyn has been awesome and my skin has looked like porcelain starting a few days into treatment. I would recommend this to anyone who has mild-moderate, stubborn acne. I also take a probiotic, florastor, to help with the stomach upset it can cause. I've been using Solodyn in conjunction with Evoclin foam on my chest and back, Panoxyl 10% BP creme wash on my chest and back, and Atralin .05% topical gel on my face. My derm gave me a coupon so my first month was free. I've since paid $50 copay for the RX.
October 15, 2011
Pros:
cleared up cystic acne
Cons:
cystic acne came back worse after I stopped taking minocycline
skin breaks out more now
I used to get 1 pimple (cystic acne) a month. Sometimes it scarred which is why I went to a dermatologist. I took the medication for 3 months. I did not get a single cystic zit until I stopped. After I was off Minocycline, I started get 4-5 cystic acne and then I started breaking out in regular zits too! I have never had a problem with regular zits! I went back to my dermatologist and he prescribed more mino. I was hesitant to take it again but the cystic acne was getting worse and the regular zits were multiplying so I gave in and took it for a month. It didn't work at all the second time around. As a matter of fact, my skin has gotten worse! I am living a nightmare now! My skin is terrible. It has never been this bad! EVER! I am so depressed because of this mess on my face. Please do not take this junk! It works the first time but once you stop taking it, it comes back worse! And when you get back on it, it doesn't work at all! At least that has been my experience.
September 18, 2011
Pros:
I used to get painful red pimples but this medication has helped reduce swelling and I can touch my face anywhere without pain! (when I wash my face)
My skin is starting to clear up and my acne scars are becoming lighter
Less breakouts
Cons:
feeling of sea sickness
diarrhoea
troubles sleeping? I have been having a lot of odd dreams since taking this medication
NOTE: I only started feeling the sickness yesterday, I was fine for two weeks, so it could just be the flu!
I have been on this medication for 2 weeks now, my acne is improving but it is improving slowly. Just yesterday I started to feel sick, I had diarrhoea but in solid form? I went to the washroom around 6 times, each of which letting out big logs which is way over my average of bowel movements, followed by one this morning. On top of that I felt a kind of sea sickness and actually ended up vomiting at night. Im going to keep taking it to see what happens, if these symptoms keep occurring I will stop. I am taking 200mg a day. SO overall it works, but has crappy side effects (pun intended) :) There is nothing wrong with trying out something different so go ahead and take minocycline and see if it works for you!
July 30, 2011
Pros:
Mildly cleared up my acne
Cons:
Still have bad breakouts every few weeks
I take 200mg a day and I still break out pretty bad a few times a month. I'm looking to try a new medication. I'm going to try birth control because I think my breakouts might be hormonal...
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.
March 24, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Too early to tell
Cons:
Dizziness/ light headedness/ nausea
I was prescribed 30 days of 115mg Solodyn for perioral dermatitis. I took one pill at night, and was nauseous the next day, so I stopped. Instead, I tried apple cider vinegar. After about 3 weeks of ACV (drinking and applying), the perioral dermatitis didn't clear up entirely. So I'm trying again with the Solodyn. I'm on day two, and the nausea hasn't returned. However, I am very lightheaded/dizzy. It's manageable, for now, though, so I plan to stay on it. I am hoping this solves the perioral dermatitis once and for all...(I'm keeping up the ACV concurrently, because it can't hurt). As for the cost, my doctor gave me a card from the manufacturer that makes it only $10 for each 30-day supply.
March 9, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
None
Cons:
Broke me out and never healed it even after 2 months
Made my skin itchy at first
It didn't work even when paired with finacea and yaz
Pros:
-Inexpensive