Tetracycline
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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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15.9%
1
11.4%

Used Tetracycline? Rate It:

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July 3, 2011

Pros:

None

Cons:

Made my stomach upset, when taken
No improvements

Tetracycline made me really nauseous, took it over 4 months, no improvements, its almost like i didnt take it at all.
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June 24, 2011

Pros:

haha none!

Cons:

didnt work..thats all i can say

dont do it, take doxy it works very well! i took this for a damn year with absolutley no results...
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May 18, 2011

Pros:

-Works fast
-dries out your skin all over your body

Cons:

-increased brain pressure and headaches
-very bad stomach aches
-diarrhea
-even got pain in liver and kidneys...

I would not recommend using this antibiotic unless you are certain that your body is so resilient it will be able to tolerate a medicine that is this heavy... I was prescribed this for my severe acne and after taking it for 2 weeks I saw great improvement on my skin but then suddenly my brain pressure increased and I got 1 endless headache for more than 4 days... I also experienced pain in my liver and kidneys... I can tolerate medication really well usually, but the side-effects of this one really freaked me out. Howver it seemed that no harm had been done to my body, but I quit immediately as the doctor said this might damage liver and kidneys if taken over a long period of time. I am now taking a topical gel, Epiduo and combine it with home remedies (baking soda and apple cider vinegar) I promise you I got the same result on my face as I did from Tetracylines... I did like how TC dried my skin over my entire body though, I felt "clean" for longer and my hair didn't get greasy. I would have loved this medicine had it not been so heavy to tolerate with such serious side-effects...
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May 17, 2011

Pros:

- clears up my acne quite quick
- no side effects for me

Cons:

none so far

I think it is important to say or skin is the same and medication and creams for different for everyone. A healthy diet makes quite a chance as well. I have always had some spots, but since I got the Mirena coil, I started to develop acne. I will get the coil taken out anyway, but in the mean time I still want to clear my acne. The GP prescribed me Tetralysal. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and it has cleared up my face quite a bit already. If I do develop the occasional spot or boil, I put Sudocrem on it(just the spot, not all over my face, cuz it seems to work the opposit from Tetralysal) and usually the next day it has almost vanished. As for cleaning my face I use sulphur soap or dead sea minerals soap. All together it works really well for me. I still have another 3 weeks to go, so will keep you guys updated. If anyone is interested in my before in after pictures, to see what it does, give me a shout.
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May 8, 2011

Pros:

- I'm staying hopeful...
- Mild improvement (Very mild indeed)
- First course completely cleared my skin for about 4 months after treatment
- FREE ( NHS doing us all proud.)

Cons:

- Very bad IBS
- Bloating (Due to IBS)
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pains
- Yellowing teeth

I'm considering stopping this course of antibiotics, but I'm very very scared that stopping half way through the course (I'm at about 5 weeks) will just cause intense acne breakouts. The first course of this treatment had cleared me by this stage and my acne was a LOT worse. This time round however I have been dealing with insufferable side effects, and despite being used in combination with Duac I've not seen any real improvement. I apologize if this review isn't particularly helpful as I think most useful advice has already been dispelled in previous reviews, so I don't really know what else to say! I'd far rather be the bearer of good news than bad, but I've been very disappointed. And mega uncomfortable in college 9 - 4 squeezing my arse so I don't fart with every step. I might stick at for a further 2 weeks and if things improve I will retract my review and replace it with a really nice one, promise. I do think however, if your considering this antibiotic maybe consider another. I'm not saying it won't work, it would be incredibly audacious for me to do so, as clearly it does for a lot of people, I just think there are probably more helpful products out there. One last thing, I have read on here that this product won't yellow teeth unless they are growing, which does in fact agree with the leaflet... but it really isn't the case. I'm very teeth conscious and have been monitoring them using a tooth shading card. My teeth have become two shades yellower in the past 5 weeks, which is pretty bloody poor. So invest in some whitening toothpaste and take great care, please! Oh, maybe some air freshener too... All the best of luck to you all. x
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April 27, 2011

Pros:

Works really fast, It cleared up my acne in almost 2 weeks

Cons:

After you stop using it, acne comes back
Plus every morning after taking the pills i had a horrible nausea, problems with stomach, moodiness

I've had moderate acne since 16 (now i'm 23). Till last summer i only had acne on my forehead and sometimes on my nose and chin. But last august i had the most horrible breakout in my entire life. i had severe cystic acne around my mouth, on my chin and around my nose. I used Nature's Cure pack for women before the breakout, and it was working wonders to my skin, then suddenly it just stopped working. I guess i got immune to it. So derm prescribed me tetracycline for a month with some cream with antibiotic for topical use. Here in Mongolia where i live tetracycline is not that cheap, so i paid 45$ for a month supply, plus 12$ for the cream and 10$ for a derm's consultation. I got so broke cuz of it. So the pills got rid of my horrible acne in just two weeks, did nothing with the scarring. But aster a week as i stopped using it, my acne came back and it's really bad. If you wanna get rid of your acne fast this could be a good solution.
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April 12, 2011

Pros:

Works well
Reduces blackheads

Cons:

Increased urination
Increased appetite
Extreme thirst
Cannot be taken with dairy products
Cannot lay down within an hour of taking (else severe heartburn)

Within an hour of taking these pills, I feel as if my stomach has been emptied, and since the pill does not work well with dairy products, I find myself in a constant struggle to find something to binge on that has no dairy. Also, I find myself with a unquenchable need to urinate and drink, often at the same time, which can be quite frustrating when in public, that lasts for about an hour. My skin DID clear up quite nicely, however, but this pill has too many side-effects to be ideal.
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March 31, 2011

Pros:

-limits breakouts while using it

Cons:

-yellows teeth
-once you stop using it breakouts come back
-can't be taken with meals/milk

I am against taking pills to begin with so when my doctor prescribed me an antibiotic I was very reluctant to take it. I wish I had never started these pills. They turn your teeth yellow. I can never find a time to take them on an empty stomach b/c I'm out of the house all day and I don't want to bring the pills with me. I didn't want to be on these pills for an extended period so I stopped taking them after taking them twice a day for a few months. Pimples have started popping up again mainly on my chin and around my mouth. It's very disappointing.
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March 29, 2011

Pros:

~Works great to clear acne
~Very cheap

Cons:

~Not a long term solution
~Not good to be on antibiotics for too long
~Causes nausea

This really works to clear your skin up quickly, but it is not a permenant solution. First of all, it's not good to be on antibiotics all the time. Secondly, your body will become immune. I was clear for about a year and then I became immune and broke out bad again. I am going back on it, and this time before I get immune, am going to switch to a different topical antibiotic. Always keep your skin guessing i guess. For the year I was on it though, I didn't have one pimple. Was super nice to have clear skin, and in conjunction with retinol all my scars cleared up-no one thought I ever had an acne problem. I'd suggest using this to get rid of your acne quick, but then after 4-8 months switch to a different therapy like Clindoxyl and Retinol. The antibiotic is key. The meds did cause a bit of nausea because you have to take it with no food...so I would take it before bed so I was already laying down. Well worth a try, but I suggest knowing your plan for afterwards-dont wait until you become immune like I did!!
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March 17, 2011

Pros:

Did clear all my facial and body acne within 3 months

Cons:

acne will come back after you stop using this (although it kept me clear for about 7-8 months after i stoped)

i would recommend this for teenage acne or possibly something to use while you start holistic treatment maybe, wish i didn't become immune secound time round though, hopefully my new pills will work the same an i eventually grow out of this horrible condition (im 22)
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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