Minocycline
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
3.2
1600
Read All About Minocycline
Compare To Other Treatments
5
15.8%
4
28.7%
3
25.1%
2
15.9%
1
14.6%

Used Minocycline? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
October 27, 2011

Pros:

Prevents Breakouts

Cons:

Expensive if you don't have insurance
Hard to schedule diet around

I was prescribed Minocycline 100mg once a day to use with Retin-A .05%. I was very hesitant to start taking this medication at first because of all of the negative reviews on this website that referenced side-effects. I also didn't want to take this medication because it made me feel worse about my acne, that i had passed a certain point and was no longer controllable. However, taking this medication was probably one of the best decisions i've made for my acne. The first couple weeks i saw small improvements; smaller cysts and breakouts not lasting long. After about a month my breakouts slowed considerably. Now four months in i break out maybe once a week, very minimally. This medication definitely helped my skin to heal from the consistent breakouts i faced in my freshman year of college. I take this medication around the same time each day, and use it with Retin A .05% and Cetaphil. Cetaphil is a perfect face wash to use with retin a as its very gentle, and Minocycline helps to minimize breakouts so my hyper pigmentation could begin to fade. All in all i highly recommend this medication. I've never felt nauseous or sick, or suffered any side-effects with this medication. Just make sure you drink a full glass of water when taking it. Also for guys, its a little tough taking this medication while trying to bulk up because you really aren't supposed to eat within a three hour window. And its effectiveness is limited if its ingested with calcium, so milk is out of the question two hours before and after taking this pill. Finally, as far as drinking alcohol while on this medication. My pharmacist said its alright to drink, just not in excess. Being in college this was a little difficult to fathom, but as for me, i'll go out on the weekends and drink and not have any problems as far as its reaction with the medication. Keep in mind though it might help to make you get drunk a little faster, thats all though. Good Luck
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 28, 2011

Pros:

Cleared Acne
Cheap

Cons:

Nothing really
Got a small breakout during the course

It totally worked, i took it for 3 months, my acne was gone except some redness which goes away itself, I got a small breakout when i was about to stop it, but it was because i ate many greasy foods and eggs in which i have a kind of allergy.
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 14, 2011

Pros:

Took away acme 100 percent. Had severve acme and this with retin a a iis only product that worked

Cons:

Ask your dentist. I have black roots on all my teeth and my permant teeth did. Not fully develop. All dentist I have see and spent thoasands of dollars with say that my teeth issues are from minocycline. I took product fo 7 years and dentist were able to tell I took product without me telling them. As soon as they pulled a tooth they asked about me taking minocycline due to the blackness and lack of development of teeth

The use of this product has destroyed my teeth. Causing me to have ulcers and losing half my teeth. This produxt should not be given to teenagers until teeth r fully developed. Would rather have hbad bad acme for my teen years than have the dental issues I now am facing
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 4, 2010

Pros:

Works better than anything I've ever taken (and I've gone the whole nine yards, except Accutane).
Cheap, if you have insurance.

Cons:

Nausea.
Headache.
Dizziness (don't go on roller-coasters ;)

I started taking this about a year ago with two other topical medications my doctor prescribed. At first, my acne got way worse and started peeling. It took about a month and half for it to get better. But when it did, it really did. I didn't have a single breakout! Then I got off my insurance and couldn't afford it anymore. About a month later, my acne was breaking out like crazy. Got back on Minocycline and it took longer this time to clear up but I'm a hell of a lot clearer. Frankly, it's the only thing that works for me. :) So try it. Yeah, I get a little dizzy but it's worth it. I'm still not on insurance so it's still expensive though :/
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 2, 2010

Pros:

Clears cystic acne!

Cons:

I felt dizzy for the first week or two of taking it. My doctor told me to take it with food. When I take it on an empty stomach, I feel slightly nauseous.

I have been on it for 8 months and it is still working great! I used to get the deep, painful, cystic acne on my chin and occasionally on my forehead. I haven't had one since I started!
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 5, 2010

Pros:

Not sure

Cons:

Severe allergic reaction

I started taking this and about 4 days later i woke up to my knee bring 3X's its normal size doctor told me i got drug induced lupus from it
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 18, 2009

Pros:

I can't remember the last time my skin was this clear of acne. I've had acne for about 10 years now. I've been using topical clindamycin for a couple of years but I couldn't seem to catch up with the new breakouts.

Cons:

Some nausea if taken on an empty stomach but otherwise well tolerated.

I take one 50mg tablet daily with meals. During the follow-up with my GP one month after starting minocycline, I was disappointed that I was still having breakouts. However, after a bit more persistence, the results started to show. I do get a zit every now and then but who doesn't? It is much easier to manage zits that do appear with topical antibiotics and benzoyl peroxide now that I am on minocycline. So for those of you who have just started, hang in there.
This Was Helpful

21 user(s) found this helpful

Report
December 12, 2010

Pros:

Worked reasonably quick.
Got read of most of my acne.
I love the purple and orange, just sayin'.

Cons:

Limit's my dairy intake.
If I go off of it, even for a day or more my face goes red.

I am on the 100mg. Have been for some time, it's done some wonders for me. I haven't noticed any side affects. I've all my life been depressed so this did nothing to it. Free, medical covers it. I'd recommend it. But no ones the same.
This Was Helpful

20 user(s) found this helpful

Report
July 3, 2010

Pros:

I noticed a difference with the acne in my face in 1 week. It was pretty much gone in about 6 weeks.

Cons:

I had a slight stomach ache the 1st 2 weeks after taking it. It also made me feel sluggish. After About 4 weeks I noticed a rash on my hands & wrists, but I was in a foreign country & though it was something there I was allergic to. After 6 weeks (after I was back home) hives started to break out on my hands, arms, stomach, legs, & feet. I immediately stooped the medication. I've had hives for 14 days now.

This medication is great if you are not allergic to it. It gave my skin a glow & cleared up my clogged pores. Do not take if you're allergic to TETRACYCLINES.
This Was Helpful

20 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 8, 2010

Pros:

acne was better

Cons:

developed LUPUS from the drug after taking it for 2 years.

Please think twice befor you take this medication. It is not good to stay on it. I developed a disease from it.
This Was Helpful

20 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 3 4 5 6 7 … 112
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Review(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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