Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
69%
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 to only some people, and may lead to side effects and strains of resistant bacteria. Studies do show they can sometimes 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 Tetracycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 19, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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!!
February 6, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up my acne fast
Cons:
It did upset my stomach and I hated the whole 1 hr before and 2 -3 hrs after a meal.
I was trying different things but nothing worked my dr finally prescribed this for me to use for one month to see if it worked and it did work. Unfortunately after the month I went back and he took me off of it saying that I didn't need it.
January 16, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up my acne after about 5 weeks, zone by zone.
Cons:
I don't count the "having to plan your meals" as a con, because everybody with acne knows that this is a very small price to pay for something that helps.
However - I think I'm developing a yeast infection - my testicles have become red and itchy. Not good.
Takes a while to work for some - 5 (demotivating) weeks for my part.
Even the healthiest of us (I'm quite fit myself) can develop nasty stuff from it, and get resistent. Definitley not a permanent solution for those concerned about your general health and well being, but can work as something that clears your skin (and mind) so you can focus on finding something that works more permanently (dans regimen etc).
January 8, 2010
Pros:
Free on NHS prescription, completely cleared up my acne and kept my face clear for several weeks. Not many side effects just occasional stomach aches when taking pills.
Cons:
Took a few weeks to start working and I had an initial break out for a few days at the start of the course. Have to take it on an empty stomach and it's annoying to plan your whole day around it.
Be prepared to wait a few weeks before seeing any improvement and make sure to take pills consistently.
January 7, 2010
Pros:
Cleared up acne on my face and back quickly, and kept it from coming back.
Cons:
The only thing I did not like was having to take it on an empty stomach and work meals around it.
I thought it was great and worked very well and quickly! I had no side effects from it a all. I now only take it if I know I have an event coming up that I want to be sure I'll be clear for, such as when I took it leading up to prom.
January 3, 2010
Pros:
Cleared skin, but eventually became resistant to it =(
Cons:
increased sensitivity to the sun
I started taking tetracycline in September 2008 and by December 2008 my skin was COMPLETELY clear. I stopped taking it in April 2009 because soccer season had started and Tetracycline made me really sensitive to sunlight and my acne slowly started coming back. Then once our school soccer season had ended, which was during June 2009 I started taking this medication once again, but sadly it did not have the same effect on my skin again=(. I took it from June until December in hopes that it would make my skin clear but didn't. I am going to be visiting the dermatologist soon now. I would still recommend this product thou because it had my skin clear for a little while, and that was the best time of my life.
December 16, 2009
Pros:
none
Cons:
I passed out and had to be rushed to the hospital
be careful to make sure you are not allergic to this
Pros:
There are no pros to this poison.