Tetracycline
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Side Effects

Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic that works by systemically fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation.

Tetracycline is an oral antibiotic that works by systemically fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation.

It is normally prescribed at a dose of 300 mg once or twice a day. The dose is often reduced once acne is notably improved.

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5
15.2%
4
34.1%
3
23.4%
2
15.9%
1
11.4%

Used Tetracycline? Rate It:

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June 7, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up my acne almost completely within 2-3 weeks. Also seems to have helped the skin regenerate so the scarring has gone away slightly.

Cons:

When I first started I had to take it twice a day and it would mess with my eating schedule a bit. Also sometimes if I went off it for a few days-a week accidently I sometimes got a minor yeast infection upon going back on it.

I'd definitely recommend it. However, as with all antibiotics, don't stay on it for very long. I started out taking it twice a day and have, over the past 3 months, worked myself down to taking it every other night with the same results. I've also used it with topical creams, so I can attribute some of my success to those, but all in all, my acne (which has been plaguing me for years) has finally become history.
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June 6, 2010

Pros:

decreased oil production

Cons:

-made teeth yellow

I took this prescription for a while before I realized what I was doing to my teeth. My father had really bad acne and took this medication when he was young. Little did I knwo, that it tints your teeth. It was not very effective regarding my acne; it took the oiliness away but I still broke out. But this little result was not worth having yellow teeth for the rest of my life. Please, do NOT take this medicine! Take something else!
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May 25, 2010

Pros:

New spots stop developing within first few days, clear skin within 1-2 weeks

Cons:

Non so far, although I have been taking the medication for 12 months and have tried to break off a few times, my skin flares up again almost instantly, recently been off for two weeks and had the worse breakout I've had in years (hence me joining Acne.Org) got another 8 week perscription last week and skin reacting well. Want to try the regime though as I'm aware that long term use of antibiotics is not recommended so gunna build the regime up over the next few weeks.

Tetracycline has worked really well for me from the start, I have suffered with acne on and off for 15 years (now 34) the only time my skin has ever been really clear has been during my two recent pregnancies, tried tetra for the first time 12 months ago after nothing else seemed to work and it's been a miracle. I am a little concerened about the long term effects of taking antibiotics which is why I am going to start the regime whilst taking the antibiotics, my skin has always been really sensitive to benzoyl peroxide but I'm hoping that I can build up the usage slowly over the next 8 weeks and come of the antibiotics for good...fingers crossed. Also not sure why a lot of you are advising that this medication can not be taken with food? I live in the UK and no such instruction is given within the leaflet that comes with the medication, I take one tablet at breakfast time 5 mins before I eat and it works fine? Maybe it's a different form of antibiotic that is provided in the US?
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May 7, 2010

Pros:

- it cleared almost completely my face
- made my skin less red
- it's been two weeks that i have stopped using it because it gave me diarrhea so the acne came back but lightly

Cons:

- it gave me nausea sometimes, especially in the morning, for about an hour
- i couldn't eat an hour and a half before taking the antibiotic and an hour after that too so i was often really hungry especially the around the time i had the toke the dose in the night
- it gave me diarrhea, but i'm not 100% sure it's because of the antibiotic, however it can cause diarrhea and even a bacterial infection (in the stomach or a yeast infection)
- Acne comes back when you stop taking it, but

I recommend this medication to everybody, but remember it reacts differently on everybody. Some people do not experience any side effects. However, i would say that the nausea part isn't that bad and it's easy to support, it's just unpleasant. And about the diarrhea part, it's because antibiotics do not only kill the bad bacterias in your body (the ones that cause acne) but also the good ones. That's why it can f**k you bacterial flora in your stomach or in your vagina, and cause diarrhea. But what can be worst in a yeast infection or a bacterial infection in your stomach, because you'll have to take another antibiotic for that, and them come back on tetracycline. Overall, antibiotics aren't good for the immune system, that's why it's better to take the less you can. But the best part is that it cleared my face completely, while i was on it! It's just that i had to stop it, for the diarrhea to go away, and it's been 2 weeks. I have no more diarrhea but my dejection still isn't totally normal it can be very soft as it can be very hard all that in the same day. The problem is that the gynecologist told me to stop it for only 4 or 5 days, but it really isn't for me cause by day 5 i still had diarrhea. I find that weird, and i'm scared of having a bacterial infection infection in the stomach but i think that your have to have diarrhea for that which i don't have anymore.
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May 3, 2010

Pros:

cleared up my acne amazingly!!

Cons:

i had a sever allergic reaction to the pill. all the joints in my body were completely inflamed for almost a year.. i was unable to walk or barely sit up due to the terrible pain. i had to see specialist for almost 2 years until the reaction had been cleared up. i was unable to be exposed to the sun or the inflammation would worsen. i missed about 8 months of school because i wasn't able to walk up stairs.

it worked great for the purpose! just be prepared that there are bad side effects with the medication, it was just bad luck that i was allergic to the tetracycline family..
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May 2, 2010

Pros:

None at all.

Cons:

Messes up my eating plan.
Didn't help acne but let it get worse.
Wasted my time.
Ugly colored pill

The most useless acne antibiotic I have ever come across in my entire life. I might as well have been taking some placebo pills. Just don't bother.
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April 19, 2010

Pros:

There are no pros to this poison.

Cons:

Thanks to the Doctors who prescribed me with this antibiotic, I now have candidiasis and a number of health problems. I now suffer with chronic fatigue, poor concentration, short-term memory loss and digestion problems.

I wouldn't give it to my worst enemy, please do yourself a HUGE favour and DO NOT take this medication. Instead, spend your money on going to see a nutritionist and take a probiotic supplement.
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March 18, 2010

Pros:

Cleared me up IMMEDIATELY! The type of acne I get comes in dozens and dozens of tiny pustules; I knew topical medications were doing nothing for me. I think it was mostly inflammation that was affecting me, because within days of a huge breakout, I took it for the first time, and I woke up with my skin still slightly inflamed, but smooth and irritation-free!

Cons:

Fitting it in; you have to take it 2 hours after eating or an hour before. And you can't lie down within a half hour of taking it.

Awesome stuff! Try it just to see if it works for you. This is the ONLY stuff that works for me.
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March 12, 2010

Pros:

Worked quickly, inexpensive

Cons:

planning meals around it

I have been on tetracycline for about three weeks now. Within the first week my acne was gone. I wake up everyday with clear skin... acne usually flares during pre- menstrual cycle, luckily i only had a couple pimples that cleared overnight. Body acne cleared as well. I take 250 mg 2x a day. Hoping i dont become immune to it. Be careful mixing it with other antibiotics, can cause severe GI issues.
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February 7, 2010

Pros:

- Clears acne
- No inital breakout
- Healthy looking skin

Cons:

- Typical side effects of anti-biotic!
- Skin sensivity in the sun
- Doesnt clear blackheads

I have been on Tetracycline for many years now & this had been the ONLY thing that has worked for me. I have tried EVERYTHING! I have tried every topical treatment under the sun, as well as ProActiv & Dr. Murad. Nothing topical has given me any help or relief, aside from RetinA. My derm told me I needed somethign systemic so he prescibed Tetracyline. It works great, just doesnt clear blackheads. It does take about a month or 2 to fully get into your system & start clearing your acne. Nothing that really works, works overnight. Take it for 2-3 months & if skin still isnt clear go back to your derm. But give it time & you will be so glad you did. My skin looks great now & I have Tetracyline & retinA to thank!!
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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