Oral Antibiotic
Reviews
3.2
1954 Reviews
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Should never be used on its own and for a maximum of 3 months.
Oral Antibiotic
Side Effects
High
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.
Read All About Minocycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
17.3%
4
27.7%
3
24%
2
16%
1
14.9%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
December 16, 2010

Pros:

-Cleared acne
-Very easy to use, once a day
-No side effects

Cons:

-my skin, all over my body, was very itchy for about 4 days but then it went away

I have had mild acne since I was 15. I am now 31. I have been taking this product for about 4 months and my skin is better than ever. I am very happy with the results!
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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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June 23, 2010

Pros:

-made my skin clear up a bit

Cons:

_severeeeee allergic reaction
-"purging" and dryness

so i knnow purging is supposed to happen and the normal drying of the skin, but ive tried soo many product before that i was really accustomed to all that. but what i didnt know was that i was going to have this severe allergic reaction to it!! i started getting hives all over and it was terrible they lasted for 6 weeks, i had to be put on prednisone (steroids) to make the swelling and pain go down. yeah it was bad. but im not saying this to scare you or tell you not to buy it. this is just my own experience and review. before all the reactions happend it seemmed to be working just fine and i was actually really happy about it but them BAM.
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May 6, 2010

Pros:

cheap

Cons:

made my acne worse, upset stomach

I had been using Aczone and Differen topicals and my face was about 80-90% cleared up. I just wanted something to keep my hormonal acne clear during PMS. I wish I would have just been happy with the topicals bc Solodyn turned my few pimples a month into painful itchy inflammed acne ALL over my face, neck, chest, back and even my scalp! I went right away back to the derm bc I was too embarrassed to even leave the house with the condition my face was in.
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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 26, 2009

Pros:

cleared up skin, is easy to take

Cons:

when i went off of it, my skin went crazy

this was the one antibiotic that worked for me.... but whenever i would go off of it, i had huge flare ups. im finally off it now, and dealing with the effects, and hoping they'll get better. i would recommend it, but not for a lengthy period of time because 1) you have to get blood drawn to make sure your liver is functioning (it can damage it) every 6 months or so 2) your body gets used to it and acne gets worse after you stop
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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 21, 2009

Pros:

Solodyn kept most or all acne away.

Cons:

It needs to be taken with food or else there may be a slight queaziness...especially in the morning. Did not get rid of the small cystic acne below the jawline.

Works well. Nothing can rid your acne "FOREVER" so don't go in with unreal expectations but this product clears up moderate acne but not rid of severe acne such as large cysts below the 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.

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.