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:
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August 26, 2007
Cons:
A slight pinkish hue to just my face (will wear a better sunscrean)Just like Nikkala as soon as I stopped taking it my face went back to being worse than before - I have never been more ashamed of my skin before. I'll never stop taking it again.
Dont try it, make it a PERMINATE habbit. I made the mistake of just trying it and now look where I'm at. Its awefull, I should have never stopped taking it. Honestly I never did anything different as far as my routine -everything the same, just taking those little pills helped. Will definately recommend to a friend.
August 15, 2007
Pros:
worked very well at the beginning, prescribed easily
Cons:
eating habits.. serious nausea
decreased effectiveness
freakishly dry skin
I feel as if i've been struggling with acne forever.. I've been on tetracycline for 18 months, 12 of which were without any results. the whole nausea thing was an incredible pain, if i ate with it i was sick, if i took it on an empty stomach i was sick. i also couldn't take it anytime near my other medications, so that was a huge inconvenience... it doesn't seem this medication was worth the amount of time i've used it
August 2, 2007
Pros:
at first it worked well and cleared up much of my acne but ive been on it for 2 years now and my acne is making a comeback and this medication doesnt seem to be working anymore..
Cons:
seems to lose effictivness over time.
annoying how you have to take it on empty stomach.
initally it seemed to work with a couple blemishes here and there but now it seems to have lost its effictivness.at least for me
July 24, 2007
Pros:
acne on back reduced substantially only get zits there during periods even after coming off the medication
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 19, 2007
Pros:
Seem to work on larger outbreaks. I just get a small zit here and there. I am African American and I noticed my complexion get a little darker. It is not from the sun cause I use sunblock. Overall it is worth a try.
Cons:
Taking pills that have restrict your eating schedule is a pain.
I will go back to the doctor once I have used it for about 2 1/2 mths and ask for an alternative to treat my acne. Taking these pills everyday is not ideal. Everyone has to be careful taking too many antibiotics because you run the risk of them not working anymore for major infections.
July 16, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up my face but not completely...I was taken off of it about 2 days ago..when I first started using it though I had really bad cystic acne...3 months into the pill though I started to see major improvement so it worked good I guess.
Cons:
doesn't really prevent against acne
It cleared me up a little and I think it helped fade some of my scars but pretty much got rid of my huge zits so right now I just have like blackheads and a few whiteheads and sometimes I get zits but not as big as I was getting them before so it helped reduce the size I guess.
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 19, 2007
Pros:
Cheap, it works quickly and effectively.
Cons:
SIDE EFFECTS!!!
Nausea, stomach upset, general weakness.
I got sick for the first time in 2 years after i went on this!
It works, but at a cost!
Use it if you are prepared to suffer the side effects.
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?
Pros:
Worked really really well, so great I didnt even recognize that was my actual face.