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
July 24, 2007
Cons:
made my skin dry. i was itching REALLY badly. also eating schedule must be managed according to instructions.
pretty good for moderate acne but may not cure the problem completely after stopping the medication
July 11, 2007
Pros:
Helps remove light to moderate acne by 50-75%, and sometimes a bit higher.
Cons:
Takes a few weeks at msot to start working. Can't take within 2 hours before or after of eating or drinking anything but pure water. Required 4 pills a day for the first time trying. Requires consistency. Makes you more sensitive to sunlight.
Works well if you need it. It doesn't clear 100% of it but takes away enough to not constantly notice it. You will still get the occassional pimple or zit, and you will still get soem blackheads. Helps reduce blackheads by 50% at most, maybe 75% but helps take away white heads more. I hear it can suddenly stop after a few years or so. Don't take it with food or drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic or powder like Kool Aid or Crystal Light) unless it's pure water. Also can cause general weakness, upset stomach, and diarrhea for the first few months. DO NOT TAKE PEPTO BISMOL OR OTHER STOMACH/INDIGESTION SEDATIVES. Also don't take multi-vitamins or supplements within 2 hours. Indigestion relievers causes violent reactions: I was at school after ym exam and took Pepto Bismol after I took the pill and suffered really bad stomach pains, diarrhea, dizzieness, almost vommitted, and other stuff. Becareful. It's worth it if you are upto the responsibilites. Not much to take care of after a while.
June 27, 2007
Pros:
-works fast
-no side effects (at least for me)
-takes care of scarring partially-prevents new breakouts
Cons:
-you have to keep continuing it
-i took 4 capsules a day and eventually lowered the doze - seemed pretty high to me
-increases breakouts initially
You have to be consistent with it - I stopped for a while thinking I should not be taking a such a high doze of antibiotics - but then my acne returned with a vengeance - I've started them again - 4 times a day and now getting a a lot of acne but I know it'll eventually stop. Also it seems to make my scars look lighter as well. I am of South Asian descent therefore my scars look black as opposed to red and makes my skin tone darker than usual. I think Tetracyline has helped me in that respect as well.
June 18, 2007
Pros:
Was on this treatment for 3 years and face completely cleared up so was taken off it, after around 4-5months my acne was back-the worse it had ever been! was put on dianette but it didn't agree with me so now i'm on tetralysal 300 (lymecycline)
Cons:
Is a temporary fix, once coming off them the acne will return!
This treatment is great for a temporary fix,however once coming off them the acne is likely to come back, really don't want to be on these all my life, dermatologist suggested roaccutane (isotretinoin) but i want to use this as a last resort as i know this stuff has serious side effects. Was considering saving for n-light laser treatment has anyone had this type of treatment?
May 1, 2007
Pros:
Removes the most servere acne.
Cons:
Takes time!
I can recommend this product to everybody that does not want to take accutane, or anybody whose acne isn't 'bad enough', to go on accutane.
April 17, 2007
Pros:
cleared up fully on my forehead, back and temples. cheeks somewhat cleared up.
Cons:
doesnt seem to get rid of more persistent ones,go off for even a day the acne comes back with a vengeance.
dont know yet. been using for 2 months. somewhast good. but im wondering how long ill have to be on this and whether itll just all come back once i get off the pills.
April 10, 2007
Pros:
I took tetracycline for 25 days for a CA-MRSA infection on my legs. CA-MRSA is an infectious disease. It is the strong germ in the hospitals that now is out in the community.
Cons:
I had very minor digestive problems.
On discontinuing tetracycline, my lower cheeks and neck have broken out with acne. I don't like getting acne past age 60.
I need to return to doctor to see if tetracycline decolonized the MRSA. Perhaps the acne is a rebound from the tetracycline. Or perhaps the new tree oil shampoo I tried caused the acne or the acne IS MRSA. I would hope for a MRSA vaccine so that people can resume activities where they touch objects that other people touch!
March 10, 2007
Pros:
Good for acne loss for a few months. Does not dry skin.
Cons:
After awhile, the pill stopped working.
After about five months on the pill, it completely stopped working to the conditions I had always taken it under. Yes, there were less pimples than before I took it, but pimples were still there and were not clearing up. I have now switched to minocycline and am much happier.
March 6, 2007
Pros:
It worked to clear up a breakout on my chest and back
Cons:
You need to be careful about when to take it, which can be inconvenient.
It worked for me on my chest, and I used it in combination with retin a
March 3, 2007
Pros:
works good for the first 6 months
Cons:
after 6 months it stops working
good for short term acne loss
Pros:
acne on back reduced substantially only get zits there during periods even after coming off the medication