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
December 23, 2011
Cons:
-dizzy/loopy feeling
I had super clear skin up until beginning of freshman year. I started getting some closed comedones (the flesh colored ones) with maybe 2-3 whiteheads. My acne got a lot worse later on during the year, but only on my forehead. I finally went to my derm during the spring & went on this antibiotic. It definitely started reducing the amount of pimples and by summer time I was only left with some PIH marks. I also don't remember having any side effects. I stopped using the antibiotic after about 3-4 months. I was pretty clear all through the summer.
Immediately when school started back up again I broke out with pimples on one of my cheeks where I never got pimples...
I'm back on Minocyclin again, but this time with adapalene 1% (differin?).
The antibiotic seems to be working again... but I'm still getting pimples. (There's always at least 2 on my face) & recently I've been feeling a little dizzy after taking this pill.
Although I still recommend it!
(ACNE SUCKS!!!!)
December 13, 2011
Pros:
Cheap with insurance, gets rid of majority of acne including cystic pimples
Cons:
Gastrointestinal problems, acne comes back once you stop
I just recently stopped taking minocycline after having taking it for about 3 years. It was working perfectly for me until this past summer when I started getting severe stomach pains, which was later diagnosed as gastritis. I stopped taking the minocycline simply as an experiment to see if it was the culprit of my stomach problems. The gastritis seemed to get better, but after some time passed I began to break out badly again, so I tried taking the minocycline again. The gastritis pains came roaring back. In short, this worked very well for me for a few years before, I guess, it caught up with me.
November 20, 2011
Pros:
Works to clear cystic acne
Cons:
IT COMES BACK 3 MONTHS IN
I swear I have tried everything, i get cystic acne but its not as bad as some peoples but still bad enough for me to scar my face. So for years ive been trying to clear it (from 15 to now 22) I was put on minocycline after everything else was failing me, I have been on and off this medicine for years. It does control the acne but its like my body gets immune to it and then they come back. The last time this happened I switched to accutane but was taken off due to a poor change in my bloodwork, he was going to put me back on it but now im back on minocycline to try it out again and hope that maybe this and veltrin (topical which is very helpful for cystic acne) will work for me. I hope so. I never had ill side effects with Minocycline, but DOXICYCLINE was horrible I would get so nautious and sick but def feel great on minocycline. With my insurance its only about 8 dollars.
September 26, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
Gets rid of cystic acne
Cons:
Still some break-outs
This product has worked well with me. Other than oiliness, my main issue are cysts. If you have the same problem, then Solodyn will most likely benefit you. Just don't set your expectations too high; you will still have little blemishes here and there, so you have to proceed with other meds (topical creams, face washes). However, I had to stop taking it because I recently went on birthcontrol (Ortho-Tri Cylen) Solodyn will counteract with birthcontrol, thus you increase your chances of becoming pregnant. All in all, great product!
August 21, 2011
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
cleared facial acne
Cons:
severe back acne, severe vaginal/anal irritation, swelling and irritation of the eyes
This review pertains only to those allergic to antibiotics. I haven't been prescribed with an antibiotic that I haven't had a bad reaction to yet, and now I can add minocycline to that list. About a week or two into the medication my face cleared beautifully, but my happiness was short-lived as my back broke out HORRIBLY soon after. I noticed some swelling and dryness around my eyes, and chalked it up to some sort of environmental rash. About a month into the medication, my vaginal/anal area broke out with severe itching, redness, swellling, dryness, and the irritated skin has even started to crack and bleed. I've been off Solodyn for almost two weeks now and my adverse side-effects still haven't gone away. Don't even mess with this if you've had bad reactions to antibiotics in the past; the pain isn't worth it!
March 17, 2011
Pros:
helped acne a little bit
Cons:
weird rash on my are
very emotional
moody
ichey
DONT USE
February 24, 2011
Pros:
Does get rid of acne...clear beautiful skin 2 months after starting it.
Cons:
Even though it did clear my acne completely and i had gorgeous skin all of my acne came back shortly after stopping it.
It does work, but its only temporary and of course you don't want to be on this medication the rest of your life.
May 28, 2010
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
I'm pretty sure it was making my skin clear along with a topical (Atralin), and it seemed to make some scars fade. I didn't have any stomach problems. The first bottle was free (I didn't get past the first bottle).
Cons:
I think was allergic to it. For the first few weeks it wasn't causing any noticeable problems, but then after the 1st few weeks I suddenly got hit with symptoms. I broke out in a rash of red dots on my stomach which started to spread to my back. I had the rash for a few days and it started getting worse.Then one night I had lower back pain and then I got a terrible headache, a fever and chills, and a sore throat. Fever lasted 2 days. The rash faded about 4 days after I stopped taking it.
If you have an acne problem it's worth trying. It seems to work fast, and I didn't have stomach problems like I do now that I'm on cephalexin. As far as I know the reaction I had wasn't common.
April 29, 2010
Pros:
none!
Cons:
I got a bad rash head to toe, very dizzy, and i felt terrible
DO NOT USE THIS
December 13, 2009
Pros:
Affordable
Cons:
In my experience I believe the side-effects far out weigh the benefits to this medication. eg: vertigo (dizziness), heartburn, diareha, nauseua, headaches
I have never had any major problems associate with acne in the past. I've only experienced typical breakouts over the years until recently. I'm 36 years old and have discovered that acne can develope at any stage in your life regardless of your age. Because of this I was petrified that I woke up with this huge cyst like lump on my face one morning. I got in with my doc and she said it was a cyst that needed to be removed. She put me on Minocycline and referred me to a dermatologist. I'm on week 3 of this medication and my face is breaking out EVERYWHERE. I don't get it, I dont have problems with acne but as soon as I started this medication, my entire chin broke out with deep, painful bumps. I'm going to continue the meds because its being prescribed for the cyst (which by the way is getting a little better). Which leads me to my conclusion, this medication clearly isnt for everyone or every need, however it can be helpful it some cases.
Pros:
-less pimples