Minocycline
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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.

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August 5, 2015
Works Temporarily
Minocyline was great for my cystic acne for the three months I was on it, and then three months afterwards. But, my acne did suddenly and aggressively return after both rounds. This would be a good short-term fix for an event or vacation.
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MGreene
January 12, 2016
I totally agree (unfortunately!) I started taking this around 5 months ago and it worked amazingly! However, after 4ish months, my acne came back...worse than before. Oh dear!
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August 5, 2015
Really works but not long-term solution
Took this for around 8 months and completely cleared my skin, but like most things, it doesn't last forever. I didn't want to be on antibiotics any longer than this so came off them and the acne eventually returned. Once the acne got bad again I went back on these for another 6 months, and acne once again cleared but came back when I stopped taking them. These will not cure your acne but will help to treat it.
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MGreene
January 12, 2016
Shame!
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July 28, 2015
It's Been a Month..
Yes, I know for some medications it takes 6-8 weeks but hear me out! I have moderate acne all over my body. I have it all down my arms, shoulders, chest, face, and now I've noticed some random red bumps on my back and butt. Emotionally, it feels like severe acne and I constantly wear long sleeve shorts and jeans to cover it up. Okay, enough ranting. I was perscribed this medication with epiduo (which I only use on my chest and face). My chest and face seem to be clearing up just the SLIGHTEST bit. My arms, however have shown ZERO improvement. Let me remind you that I am not using the epiduo on my arms. I just feel as if there should be at least some progress by now. It feels as if I'm wasting my time with this medication. If it does start to get better, I will update this review but it doesn't seem like that will be happening. UPDATE: Another week in and I'm breaking out like crazy on my arms and face with blackheads and whiteheads. I have also been getting major headaches and sometimes nausea.
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July 27, 2015
Quick Fix
Minocycline worked well for my cystic acne, but it's not a good long term solution. I DO recommend it because it does help you get your acne under control while you're waiting on your topicals to start doing their job- but don't expect to take this for more than a 3-6 month cycle. I can't imagine it's very healthy to take longer than a short time period plus eventually it will lose its ability to work as well once your body adapts.
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July 17, 2015
Long term effects not worth it
This was the first Rx my derm started me on. It worked for the first couple years I was taking it, but after about about year 3 it was no longer effective for me. The previous reviews are right. Although you can get good results with this Rx, it comes at a cost. Taking antibiotics over a long period of time can wreak havoc on your body all the way from your immune system to your respiratory system. This webMD article does a nice job of summarizing. [link removed] Hope this helps!
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July 14, 2015
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR
I am 20 years old and started experiencing mild to severe cystic acne about a year ago. I've had cases where my blemishes have been the size of a nickel. My acne irritated my skin so much and I am now left with a lot of scarring. I have used many over the counter products, including Murad. I have spent hours researching the internet for remedies hoping for a solution. I finally decided to go to the dermatologist. Best choice I have made towards improving my skin. My doctor prescribed me with 100 mg two times a day with two other prescribed applicants. I truly believe acne needs to be cured from the inside out, along with a healthy diet and good exercise. I've only been on this medication for 2 weeks and I have seen such a dramatic difference. I am finally starting to gain my confidence, I am so excited to see what my complete outcome will be.
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July 12, 2015
Nauseous and acid reflux
This medicine works to a certain extent however, throughout the day I would be extremely nauseous and suffered intolerable acid reflux and had to use the toilet to gag on numerous occasions.
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mac87
July 14, 2015
that happened to me. its because the antibiotics kills the good bacteria needed in your gut. I got a lot of acne relief from the use of probitics. i used one called clear biotic. seems to be really help me and my daughter.
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July 11, 2015
Don't use antibiotics!
Okay I am a 16 year old boy male who suffers from mild to severe hormonal acne. My face is horrible I have a lot of discoloration on my skin and i have acne scars as well. I have tried many products and I have spent thousands of dollars on my face. Nothing had worked. My face is immune to all the products I have tried so far. So one day i decided to go see a dermatologist. I have never been on an oral antibiotic before. So my dermatologist prescribed me an oral antibiotic since I have hormonal acne and topical medication weren't working at all. They were just making my face worst. I was prescribed minocycline. I took two pills a day and they were 100mg each. I took this pill for four months along with a topical cream witch was Tretinoin cream. Minocyclin did help my acne but it didn't cure it. My acne became much more smaller and I didn't get as many break outs. After I finished my last batch of minocycline all my acne came back and I started breaking out a lot. What you have to understand is antibiotics aren't going to cure your acne. Antibiotics are just a "temporary fix" for your acne its not going to permanently get rid of your acne. Plus they come with side effects. I experienced tiredness and i was fatigue as well. I would recommenced avoiding antibiotics.
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June 24, 2015
Temporary clear skin at a cost
I was on Mino for 100mg/day for approximately 2 years. For the first year however, I wasn't very consistent with taking my dosage, so I would take it once every week or so. I took it everyday in my senior year and this drug has done wonders for my skin during that year. I would rarely get a breakout, and if I did, it was only 2-3 very big spots (mainly around my menstrual cycle or when I was stressed out), but overall, this was a lifesaver for me. I stopped responding to it a year ago and was prescribed Doxycycline. Minocycline was the first oral antibiotic I had ever been prescribed with, which is why I think I responded great to it, especially compared to Doxy. However, with every antibiotic, comes the unfortunate and consequent immunity of it, which is what caused my acne to come back again. I never had any bad side effects whilst being on Mino, but I can definitely say that once I stopped responding to this antibiotic, my face was worse than ever. I started getting cystic acne and very persistent acne, which is why I was switched over to Doxy. But my body has build up such a resistance to the cycline family antibiotics that Doxy only worked 1.5-2 months for me before my acne came back again. I'd say antibiotics work best on mild acne. It may also work for moderate acne (which is what I had), but honestly, after being on Mino and Doxy, I am now suffering with moderate-severe acne just because of the immunity of the antibiotics I have taken.
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Nikkixyooj
July 9, 2015
You might have to try a stronger antibiotic. I don't know why they would prescribe you doxy it's from the same family as Minocycline and in my opinion it's weaker than Minocycline. You need to go on a very strong antibiotic like Bactrium I heard its cures many people acne.
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June 18, 2015
Nothing worked like this for me
This worked wonders for my skin for the longest amount of time. The reviews are /really/ mixed on here, but I was able to clear most of my skin with it. After being on it for 6 months, I was taken off of it because my dermatologist thought it was concerning that I was on it for that long. As soon as I stopped taking it, my skin was uncontrollable. I did have an increased dose. I don't have them anymore, so I don't remember it, but I went as high up as they would give me lol.
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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.
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