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 7, 2009
Cons:
Had horrible dizzy spells for the first two weeks. Dizziness will reccours if miss a dose or a day's worth of doses. Will need to stay on this medication for at least a year, if not longer.
So far so good. I am using this in conjunction with a topical gel (clyndamycin) and cream (retin-a). While the whiteheads and pustules have virtually disappeared, I still have cysts that form every month or two and those require injections. All of these medications are available as generic, so monthly costs are low. My skin isn't perfect, but it's so much better than it's ever been.
October 25, 2009
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
its easy to take
Cons:
did'nt clear it up too well
plain and simple, it didnt really work for me after months of usage
October 13, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne really fast!
Cons:
-Cant eat after i take it :(
no more night time food
-Slight nausea, no biggie
Ive been on minocycline for a week now and the results are crazy!
My entire chin has cleared up so much and now i just have red marks.
A few little zits here and there, but nothing unmanageable, not like the deep lumps before. I am also using differin 0.1 gel (night) aswell as a 5% benzyl peroxide wash in conjunction with the antibiotic... Also important to refuel your biotic cultures, so drink a Bio-K or asidophilus every other day
September 30, 2009
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
-None
Cons:
-Red bumps scattered about my body, all itchy too.
I have non-inflamed acne, but every once in a while I will get a nodule. So I was prescribed this when I went to the derm for a cortisone shot. so after using this for around 3 weeks, i started developing red bumps that itched. i saw a couple other people write about it here as well, seems pretty rare. guess i had some reaction to it, dunno why it came so late. anyways, i getting off of it as the unbearable itch isn't worth it. i would recommend it others, b/c it seems my case is pretty abnormal.
September 24, 2009
Pros:
works well and cleared up acne fast!
Cons:
It caused liver damage, and my liver is still trying to recover from it. I had to stop taking the medication after a year, but my acne didn't come back. just make sure to get you liver checked so you don't end up like me!
be careful! I recommend it only because it worked well.
September 24, 2009
Pros:
Improves skin problems, cost almost nothing because of insurance
Cons:
Gave me 'bacne,' migraines, nausea every day, skins problems come back when you go off of it, way more expensive than other antibiotics if you don't have insurance
I think this works for some people, and it actually did improve my skin a lot. I have perioral dermatitis, not acne, but it's improved by all the same medications. I stay on minocycline for about a year because it kept my skin ALMOST under control. It got rid of my derm once and I went off it a month later but a month after that it all came back. My mom has been on this for years and years. It's so bad for you and your skin becomes 'addicted to it.' It also made me really sick and made my back break out even though it helped my face. (I've never had acne there before.) I'm trying accutane now I hope it works!! I've been off of minocycline for a week now and my nausea and head pain alleviated almost instantly.
September 12, 2009
Pros:
cleared up the deep acne that retin a couldn't get rid of within three weeks. reduces swelling.
Cons:
you have to watch what you eat when you're on it. dairy decreases its effectiveness. you're not supposed to lie down for half an hour after you take it.
i had been on retin-a micro for a year, and while it had helped control my acne, i always had a couple of pimples left that were deep and hard. this got rid of them pretty much right away.
September 5, 2009
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
None
Cons:
Rash, tired, no change
This drug is not supposed to be used for more than 12 weeks but I am hearing of many people using if for months. Research the serious side effects!
September 3, 2009
Pros:
Seems to be controlling my breakouts really well, Havent seen any new bumps since I started on it (Been under a week). I know it might seem abnormally fast, but in just 3 days my face looks a lot smoother. Works great so far.
Cons:
Small little head-aches i've never had before, they are only momentary and last for about 5 minutes but i'm sure even a child cold tolerate the small pain it causes.
Using minocycline by itself is not a smart idea, start a process where you use many things in conjunction. I was prescribed Retin-A, Minicycline, and 2 BP 10% bars, and I went to buy a moisturizer myself. So far I havent had one new bump on my face, the only thing i've noticed is redness, which i'm sure is my face adjusting to the new medication (retin-a). Like I said it's been 2 days, but i've seen A LOT of progress in those two. Side affects do seem more apparent in females then males, as I havent felt any other then a small headache. The purpose of it is to kill bacteria before it starts, so you've got somthing for under your skin, now you need to meet it half way with another medicine such as topicals.. I'm using the BP 10% scrub to help oxidize my pores and keep the, bacteria free while retin-a helps with repairing my skin. USE MINICYCLINE WITH OTHER PRODUCTS, BOTTOM LINE.
August 18, 2009
Pros:
Affordable
Cons:
Hard to remember to take sometimes untill you get into the habit, but that's how it goes with anything
I didn't respond very effectively to Monocycline. It did reduce my acne a bit, but I never got clear from it. I changed to Amoxicillin by recommendation of my dermatologist and it's orking better for me right now. He said people who usually don't respond well to Monocycline do better with Amoxicillin (sp?).
Pros:
Three months in and there's been a signficant reduction in the number of breakouts I've had. My skin is practically clear.