Acne.org Products
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
May 19, 2007
Cons:
I may have been slightly allergic...not sure. It gave me red dots on the top of my hands for a while. Stopped taking it because of this.
Wouldn't get it. Can really upset your stomach as well.
August 13, 2009
Pros:
worked on some cysts
Cons:
.made my acne worse the first couple of months
is this product meant to make your acne worst?
June 9, 2009
Pros:
none
Cons:
making my acne worse
i d=have been taking this treatment for 2 weeks and it just seems to be making it worse and so i dont know if its ment to do this befor it can get any better but will carry it on for the next 2 weeks .
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.
March 17, 2009
Pros:
My 13 years old daughter started to take it 1.5 weeks ago.
Cons:
I have to remind her to take the medicine 30 min before bed.
As per instruction she has to sit or stay during 30 mins after
she took the medicine. And no vitamins supplement 1.5 hrs before and after.
It seems like it works, Acnes almost gone, no redness, and
inflamation. She is happy now.
We will see how long we have to take it.
Our doctor told us to take it up to 6 months.
March 15, 2009
Pros:
it works! i didn't think it would but after the two month mark all of a sudden i noticed "hey, my acne is gone, when did that happen?!"
Cons:
it makes me bloated and takes two months to work, but stick with it!
i started taking probiotic supplements from trader joes with the tetracycline and my digestive system is no longer mad at me. my scars are gone too and if i do get a sudden break out now it seems to be period-related, but definitely not as bad. seriously, if you are about to give up after being on it a few weeks, stick with it!!! i had my doubts but i am doubting no longer!!
February 14, 2009
Pros:
IT SUCKS!!!
Cons:
IT DIDNT DO A THING! ALL IT DID WAS GIVE ME A HARD TIME FITTING IT INTO MY SCHDUALE!
DONT GET IT BACTRIM WORKS 10x BETTER!!
February 14, 2009
Pros:
I did not break out as much...
Cons:
Daily Stomach-aches. Skin became really dry and sensitive.
Tetracycline did not help clear acne even though my dermatologist convinced me that it would. I have had light/moderate acne for about 18 months and lately it got worse. Taking this antibiotic did not improve my skin at all!!! I noticed that 2 weeks in, I couldn't eat as much as I wanted to. Right after a meal, my stomach would hurt and I just wanted to throw up. Consequently, I became very conscious about what I ate because I did not want to have to endure the stomach pains everytime. It was worse than having major menstrual cramps.I regret taking this pill and wasting my money. It is definetely not worth it!!
January 5, 2009
Pros:
Have on Tetracycline (300mg) for two months but have already started to notice an improvement. Did nothing at first, even made things worse but skin is much clearer now and I have had no new breakouts for the last month. Very pleased so far.
Cons:
No side affects (so far). Only "problem" is that you can't eat for an hour either side, but once you fit this into a schedule, you're fine.
In the UK, I can get this on prescription, and being in full-time education, for free.
You truly have nothing to lose by seeing your doctor for this, I have had no side affects and it has really improved my self-confidence, and my acne was not really bad to start with. Give it a go! I combine this with the Nivea for Men Deep Cleansing or Oil-free Cleaner and Nivea for Men Rehydrating moisturiser.
January 3, 2009
Pros:
I use Oxytetracycline (which I assume is the same thing - Also known as Terramycin by Pfizer). My skin has made a dramatic turn around, and although not flawless has cleared up amazingly well.
Cons:
Timing of when to take the pill. You have to take it 2 hours after you eat but can't take it right before going to bed. It gets tricky but if you set a schedule then it's not so hard.
I've never experienced any of the symptoms like nausea or headaches that I'm reading so much about. This is how I take it: I take one pill at night. On average I'm in bed by 11, so I plan to eat my "final meal" by like 8. That way I wait the two hours to take it after I eat, and I can stay up an hour after I take it for it to do it's stuff. If you plan ahead it's not that hard. I take one every 24 hours. Don't know if this is the specific recommendation but it works for me and I've never had any bad effects. Also, I still take a multi-vitamin as well. Especially since zinc can help with acne too. The only thing is that I split the time between the two pills so one is digested before I take the other. So the tetracycline at night, and the multi-vitamin with breakfast. I've had nothing but positives with this method and pill. Just remember: keep a schedule, stick to it, plan ahead, and you'll hopefully have as much success as I have.
Pros:
Worked when I STARTED taking it... Then didn't seem to have much of an effect.