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
August 11, 2008
Cons:
SCARS!, still have just as many pimples as I did before, sore dry eyes, dizzyness, dry everything on my face, can't tan.
Ive used minnocycline and retisol A cream for about 3 months now... initial break out was hell... didn't want to leave the house for the first 2 weeks. It slowly started to clear up in the 3rd week but then got my period and broke out again. The zits that did go away left little red marks.
I would not reccommend this to anyone who has more than 5 zits on their face at a time. I really think is not the answer. Didn't work for me at all...
I am going to be talking to a doctor about going onto accutane.
July 8, 2008
Pros:
The acne on my back has improved SIGNIFICANTLY...my face has gotten better, just a few scars.
Cons:
Yeast infection. It's painful. But monistat combo pack makes that clear within 24 hours.
For the acne on my body, it worked very well. Not as well as my face, but it's worked and it's really helped me overall.
June 22, 2008
Pros:
It generally cleared up my facial acne.
Cons:
My crouchal region and penis developed a painfull rash which has caused it to scar quite severly. It is quite embarrasing and it has made me very affraid to talk to women.
Although it helped with my acne, the hyperpigmentation and scaring on my penis is a long term side affect, and it has not cleared up after more than a year, which has me quite worried.
June 19, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up most of the achne redness, did a good job on my face. I haven't noticed it making me feel sick at all. Cheap!
Cons:
Hasn't cleared up the achne on my back and shoulders as much as I would like. It makes me more sensitive to sunlight, so I go red on my face after a day out exposed to the sun!
Quite good product, it's not perfect, but I would reccommend it - it's certainly a good improvement at a decent price.
June 9, 2008
i ´m still waiting, it ´s been 2 weeks since i started taking it and i haven ´t seen any change. hope it works for me.
June 2, 2008
Pros:
7th week on Mino, 100mg a day. Helped clear up my skin to some extent. I still get 1-2 small zits per week, but there's definitely improvement. I'm going to continue taking it and see what happens!
Cons:
Initial breakout. No serious side effects. Caused mild photosensitivity. Quite pricey without insurance! Nearly $50 a month. :(
Give it a shot!
May 31, 2008
Pros:
it did work well on my moderate to severe acne. Now I'm mostly clear. the pores are still big, it just worked on the cystic and pimple/whitehead acne.
Cons:
I think it caused my extreme facial redness and sun sensitivity on my face (I looked like I was sunburned all the time) and then it also caused semi-permanent but faint blue areas on my shins, which look somewhat like bruises.
I had used this for about 5 years straight, and I was methodically taking this, even past when my acne was bad because I was afraid it would come back. About a week ago I read an article detailing the possible side effects of long term use which included, among other alarming things, blue discolorations on your teeth and skin and basically your entire body. As I had blue discolorations, I immediately stopped taking minocycline and called my dermatologist. I'm hoping that the facial redness which I believe was caused by minocycline will disappear within the next year. In this past week of NOT taking minocycline my skin hasn't broken out really, I just got a little more acne and one cyst under my skin which only lasted about a day. so I'm glad I'm off minocycline Bottom line: take it for a couple years if you have no side affects and it's clearing your acne, and then get off it. so I'd recommend it so long as you look for any possible and dangerous side affects!
April 25, 2008
Pros:
This product works wonders on cystic acne as it targets hormones. Results are apparent within a couple of weeks. I believe most insurances should cover the cost, so it remains relatively inexpensive.
Cons:
You will still get the small acne that needs to be controlled with topical cream. My doctor told me she didn't want me taking it for more than a year due to harmful effects with prolonged usage.
I definitely suggest using this product if you have problems with painful, cystic acne. If possible, this product is nicely paired with a retinol like Differin (which should keep the smaller acne at bay). Once you have procured a Rx, make sure to discuss how long you will be able to use the product as doctor's opinions may differ. I believe the medication also makes you a tad more sensitive to sunlight so be sure to have a nice SPF of 15 or 30 in your moisturizer (which you should already have!) I also had some problems after a while with eyebrow waxing (my skin was overly sensitive), but I feel like the spa was just blaming the medication for their mistakes. Overall, I really appreciated what the medication did for my acne problems.
April 15, 2008
Pros:
it was pretty cheap
Cons:
i started getting rash! it is so itchy! i took it for about two weeks and now my body is itchy
it really dried up my skin! it kinda worked for me! my pimples stop coming out! but now im gettin very itchy rash!
April 7, 2008
Pros:
Worked quickly and cleared up problem area on chin. Noticed little/no side effects once used to it.
Cons:
After one year I began to get constant whiteheads, blackheads and red spots on ONLY my nose. This is an area where I never had a problem before. But if I go off minocycline I break out in other areas.
Now I have to try other meds to clear up nose. I'm 30 and I am tired of this!!!
Pros:
Skin not as bumpy...