Tetracycline
Results
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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2
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1
11.4%

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April 15, 2009

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

Broke out even worse than before once I got off it.
Ruined my teeth!!! Read the fine print. Those side effects (however rare they may claim they are) do definitely happen.

So the bottom line is, no one, in my opinion, should use antibiotics for acne. They kill all the good bacteria in your body, which just encourages the bad bacteria to take over once you get off them. This causes all kinds of problems... Infections, candida overgrowth, acne, constipation, poor digestion, tooth decay....the list goes on and on. Tetracycline didn't even help me while I was on it. So it pretty much had no Pros and tons of Cons. I recently decided to treat acne naturally and healthily, and now I'm finally clearing up.
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April 15, 2009

Pros:

Fewer pimples. This product actually started working in about 2 days.

Cons:

Scheduling my life around apill

It actually worked for me. I was prescribed the medicine on a friday and saw a big improvement by Monday. Along with the Retin-A, finally something is working for my acne.
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April 15, 2009

Pros:

umm is there any? Maybe it helped me be more responsible to a tough schedule.

Cons:

worst than before! Made skin even more sensitive than before. Its not for everyone for sure! Im happy for those that are pleased.

Like some here, my skin did not like it at all. My resistant areas got even worst and the areas of my forhead that used to stay more clear, developed major break-outs. Plus, the areas that were bad were red rash-like and super sensitive. I'm going to hide now before my computer writes itself a program to make fun of me! p.s. from reading here, it seems that most results happen within the first couple weeks of taking it. I have been on for 2 months. Im staying on the path to find success!
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April 15, 2009

Pros:

Skin felt smoother, and was not as red

Cons:

Stomach sickness, not much improvement in the amount of acne.

It's worth a shot! Try it, if you have inflamed acne it could help.
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April 12, 2009

Pros:

Not many

Cons:

Not many

This pill actually did nothing at ALL to me. Didn't make me sick, didn't clear up my acne. Been taking it for 2 months.
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April 10, 2009

Pros:

helped clear up my acne within the first few weeks

Cons:

i was hungry all the time , i got severe nausea and headaches, dizziness and blackouts.

it definitely does help clear up acne ,but lowers your immune system by a ton. i got severely sick at least four times while on this medication. it works well i just didn't think it was worth it to me, but everrybodys body reacts differently.
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April 7, 2009

Pros:

NOTICED AN IMPROVEMENT AFTER ABOUT 2 WEEKS

Cons:

HAVE TO TAKE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH AND NOT WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS.

I HAD RASH LIKE ACNE ON MY FOREHEAD AND JAWLINE. I TRIED EVERYTHIGN FROM BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, MINOCYCLINE, DOXYCYCLINE, RETIN-A AND OVER THE COUNTER CREAMS...NOTHIGN WORKED ....UNTIL I WAS PRESCRIBED TO TAKE 500 MG TETRACYCLINE 2 TIMES A DAY. I NOTICED AN IMPROVEMENT RIGHT AWAY. I AM 2 WEEKS INTO MY PILLS AND MY FOREHEAD IS COMPLETELY SMOOTH. I ALSO USE CLINDAMYCIN CREAM IN THE MORNING, IT WORKS WELL UNLIKE RETIN-A WHICH MADE MY SKIN SCALY AND PEEL.
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April 3, 2009

Pros:

Cleared my cystic acne in a week and a half. Tetracycline worked wonders for me.

Cons:

When I was taking four pills a day (two at a time, twice a day) I felt really nauseous about an hour after taking the pills. Also the schedule of not being able to eat when you want really stinks...

Although I'm sure that tetracycline doesn't work for everyone, I think it's worth a try because it worked so great for me. I went from having really terrible skin to just dealing with the leftover red marks now. I didn't have an initial breakout and a month in to using this antibiotic my results are getting better and better. I am taking this pill along with retin-a at night and clindamyacin gel in the morning (spot treating with BP). I take my first pill when I first wake up and then eat breakfast an hour later. I take my birth control pill at 7:00 pm. I take my second pill around 11:00 pm after I have stopped eating for a couple hours. This schedule seems to work for me.
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March 27, 2009

Pros:

worked affectivly.

Cons:

i threw up once while taking it and i got a big breakout before it got better.

zero acne post using this pill
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March 19, 2009

Pros:

None

Cons:

I have been on it for 5 months and haven't noticed any improvement at all :-( Also, every time I took the tablet I would feel sick and it would put me off my food.

Not good for me unfortunately.
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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