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
March 19, 2009
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.
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 28, 2009
Pros:
Cleared a little.
Cons:
Made me feel sick most days.
Not worth it. I had a lot of confidence in this only to be pretty disappointed.
January 27, 2009
Pros:
None
Cons:
Severe flu like symptoms- body aches, fever, chills. I felt crappy instantly.
Didn't work for me
December 1, 2008
Pros:
nada
Cons:
it seriously didnt do anything for me....except once i finished what was prescribed to me my entire body broke out into big, splotchy itchy rashes. it was disappointing and not so fun.
be careful :)
November 1, 2008
Pros:
Dont know yet
Cons:
schedule meal time,
i am getting some major headaches but not sure if it just using too much computer or actually the pills
Hi,
I am a new user of this forum so my apologies for any mistakes.
I used to get mild acne close in my teenages..i was not very worried about it because stevamycin worked fine for me..and I only had a couple. Right when i turned 20, I started getting cystic acne. I usually get about 1-2 acne over a week. The top part (pus) of the acne disappears over a day or two but it's leaving a small portion of cyst under my skin which causes a dark-brown scar to appear around that area.I went to a homeopathic doctor at first but it only brought my bank balance down. Right now my family physician has prescribed tetracycline (4pills for 1st week and 2 for the next weeks),clinodoxyl gel over night, Diane-35 (for 21 days even if i get my period on the 18th day).I am using these pills from october 15th, my old cyst have not shrunk and i have not seen any major changes yet.ANYYY COMMENTS ??? i would really appreciate all the help.I DO NOT want 2 go on accutane
October 10, 2008
Pros:
Cheap
Cons:
Made me dizzy and nausea.
I only could use this medication for 1 week so maybe I did not give it time. But I could not handle the side effects and it actually made my acne worse. I would wake up in the morning with large cycts on my face, especially on the jaw area. I stop using it and brought some benzoyle peroxide and starting cleansing my face with medicated soap. My acne is starting to clear up. I would not recommend Tetracycline because is has to many side effects and it can really mess your system up.
September 22, 2008
Pros:
none
Cons:
does nothing
waste of time and money
July 30, 2008
Pros:
It worked on smaller cysts when taken on a 10-day cycle.
Cons:
It made me sick as Hell with unbelievable heartburn and stomach issues. It also dried out my skin. I'll never touch it again.
Don't do it if your stomach doesn't handle antibiotics well. Go for minocycline first, unless you have cystic acne.
April 5, 2008
Pros:
it was cheap
Cons:
didnt really work, inconvenient, dries out skin
iv been on it for almost a year. at first it slowed the ance then it almost completely stopped working for me. right now im still on it just to keep away the cystic acne. although, i still get it, just not as much.
Pros:
None