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
June 4, 2008
Cons:
It makes me a little dizzy and sick feeling all the time. I'm going to start taking probiotics to see if this helps!
Good to take while you still have a scar-less face!
May 13, 2008
Pros:
Probably helped somewhat with my acne, but since I'm using 3 different things it's hard to tell
Cons:
Risk of antibiotic resistance, causes flat warts!!
I had flat warts around a year ago that went away on their own but tetracycline brought all of them back and more! Avoid oral antibiotics if at all possible, there are so many factors that you can't control!
May 3, 2008
I just started the pill 6 days ago, and it seems to be slowing down on the acne break outs. Every night as I lay in bed I get a gassy feeling in my stomach and my lower abdomen bloats out. I guess I will see as the weeks go on if it goes away.
April 14, 2008
Pros:
cleared up smaller acne
Cons:
-turned my teeth yellow
-extreme sun sensitivity
this cleared up only some of my acne. really bad side effects though, my teeth and permanetly yellow and i had extreme sun burn all of the time
April 12, 2008
Pros:
none for me
Cons:
When i started to take this i did notice no more breakouts but my skin remained the same. soon enough i started to realize i woul d break out into hives. Allergic reaction for me but it never did really anything to my skin to clear it up.
allergic reaction. Doesnt clear up just keeps under control
April 11, 2008
Pros:
It did clear up acne for a while.
Cons:
Extreme nausea in my case...also a weird headache that feels different than just a normal headache...and not being able to eat with it.
I'm going to quit taking it because while it does clear up a little acne, its doesn't clear up enough to make it worth all of the nausea and nasty sick feeling after taking it...ughhh
April 9, 2008
Pros:
it controls acne..(not better or not worse ) it leaves it the same condition as you started.
Cons:
can't eat whenever you want. makes you feel dizzy, extremely hungry.
DISAPPOINTING! This is going to be my third week and this drug obviously is not too effective because it stayed the same way as i first started! my acne did not improved nor gotten worse. Last night i finally stopped and today in the afternoon, i see that my Papules have gotten bigger and more puffy!! soo i conclude that tetracyline only serve the duty as "keeping it in control"
April 7, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my acne within a few weeks of using it.
Cons:
Still got breakouts during my menstrual cycle, and acne came back much worse after about 7 months
Use it short term to clear up acne, but you will probably have to move on to something stronger after a while.
March 27, 2008
Pros:
it cleared my face completely after about 2 months and stayed clear for about 3 months
Cons:
my body somehow became immune to the antiniotic and after about 3 months of clear skin, my acne came back worse than before
worked great for few months, but then i became immune and it came back worse than ever.. medicaton no longer worked or made a difference... derm said this is rare but happens... put me on doxycycline well see how it goes
March 26, 2008
Pros:
Fairly Cheap, Fairly Effective, Got rid of all acne on back and chest
Cons:
Doesn't work completely, side effects, planning around meals, must be consistent, heightened sensitivity to the sun
I've been using this, along with Differin, for about a year. Right off the bat, I noticed a great reduction in chest and back acne, and now I have none. However, I haven't really seen a great improvement in my face. While it has slightly improved it, I still have more than enough zits--and not just minor blackheads and whiteneads. Also, for awhile I stopped taking a pill in the morning because it made me nauseous, and I'm sure that didn't help either. I think mainly it depends on your body and your acne. Some will be more fortunate than others.
Pros:
It is already making my skin softer, clearer, and the scars are even fading.