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
November 12, 2013
not bad
Cons:
gass
small rashes that go away but are annoying
takes a while for acne to go away
I never used to have acne before I turned 20. In 2 months my face turned into an acne warzone. I got cysts on my chin area, which gradually progressed along my jawline and lower cheeks. These were so red and traumatized me, as I had NEVER had anything like it before. There were so many spots, some would heal, and the marks would remain, and new ones would come. Mineral foundation hid the redness thankfully. I've been on tetracycline for 2 months. It took this long for me to see a DIFFERENCE, but I'm so happy I stuck with the regimen and didn't give up. Now, my face isnt blemish free as when I was 19, but it's really getting better. I have no more cysts on my chin at all, just the red marks which will go away with a little more time. My jawline is not acne-free, but it's getting better as well. When I pass my fingers over my face I dont want to cry anymore. All this to say, please don't give up on tetracycline even if you havent see a difference yet. The regimen for these pills is 3 months. By the 3rd month, I'm sure I'll have my face back 100% (no marks or acne), considering the way things are going now. I'm also using topical products at night and morning. I was extremely depressed when I got acne at 20 for the first time, and so severe. I thought tetracycline would work within 2 weeks. IT DOESNT. It's a gentler antibiotic that takes its time. I accepted that I have an infection, just that it happens to be on my face - which is what acne is. Once I accepted this crappy fact, it was easier to deal with. Sh*t happens. Tetracycline can help you, but dont be impatient and do use mineral foundation in the meantime if you're worried about what people think. Acne is dumb and annoying, but it's really more common than you think, and will go away if you fight it, like any infection.
August 10, 2011
Pros:
cleared up my acne very well!
Cons:
made me extremely nauseas
skin sensative to sun
had to plan my meals around the pill
I took this for a little over a year and it worked extremely well! it took about two months to COMPLETELY clear up my skin. The only problem is that once i stopped taking it, my acne came back worse than ever before.
December 22, 2006
Pros:
works great,comepletly clear skin on 500mg 2x a day.250mg 2x works ok not as good.used for 2 years and no breakouts minor pimples here and there.skin still looked oily but clear.also used 5% benzoyl and retin-A in 2 years.
Cons:
I did not notice any at all except the fact that you may get pimples once in awhile after taking it for more than a year.TIP-if you clear after 6 months only take once a day or every other day even if ur doc tells you every day.wont get immune
great at 500mg 2x a day,dont take all the time after 6 months if your cleared up.if you notice a pimple coming then pop a pill and it will go away before it forms.
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.
February 18, 2009
Pros:
It really works. I had major pimples on my chin and cheeks. I went to my derm and cried and asked for him to make my pimples go away. He prescribed Tetracycline and Sebazon? the generic is called 10 % Sulfacetamide Sodium Lotion.
Cons:
Tetracycline is upsetting to my stomach. But its either a stomach ache or pimples. I prefer stomach pains.
This sh*t works wonders in two weeks. It works best when taken on an empty stomach. My derm also told me that your body can become immune to the medicine so he recommended for me to use it until it clears my acne and stop. He also advised that if acne returns, then i should continue to use it. He said it would work best to clear it all at once and stop....and if necessary to return to using the medicine a few months later--if needed. Whatever you do...continue to use it until your face clears up and take recommended dosage. He has me taking one in morning and one at night then asked to lower dosage...but i guess until later.
November 12, 2015
I had an allergic reaction to this
My chest broke out in hives.... but glad My body rejected it.
Unfortunately the dr. then put me on doxycyclin. They kept me on it for YEARS! (high school) as soon as I stopped or if I didnt have it on hand my face would EXPLODE. Wasnt curing anthing was only covering up the problem.
Keep in mind these are also meds that are typically given to people to treat respitory infections. I wasn't sick..., I had acne! Later i learned my acne was triggered by food intolerances. FOOD! Simple as that... I still resent not being more aware when i was younger and that the Doctors were as sh*tty as they were.
Thankfully I still have my liver!
June 28, 2015
tetraciclina
Yeah, i would say this is the better review, or at least the one that's similar to my case.
One has to be really organized in the bed time and eating habits to get results. Otherwise you will have an unstoppable nausea. You can't drink alcohol while you are medicated and its good to know that ya need to drink one probiotic at day.
April 25, 2012
Pros:
- It works for acne vulgaris (- Do NOT work for blackheads, etc.).
- Highly recommended if you only have moderate teen acne, not if it has gotten out of hand.
Cons:
- There are side effects, just like any other medication.
The side effects I got was:
- Yellowing of the teeths (Not much. I still got whiter teeth than most other teen on my age. Dont let this point discourage you).
- Dry skin (not much).
- Dry eyes (not much).
- Some negative effects on my mood (gets really easily irritated).
- May also disturb sleep, making it harder to get to sleep.
- Do NOT (ever) take more than you your doctor has described for you.
- Its NOT a long term solution. I would recommend anyone that has severe acne to go on roaccutane. Its not worth waiting a long time for you acne to disappear/ slow down. I waited 5 years, and I recommend everyone who has severe acne to just go on roaccutane.
February 23, 2012
Pros:
cleared up my acne by about 75%
few side effects
Cons:
trapped wind!
horrible taste and smell
taking in combination with dianette. works really well. im worried spots will return worse than ever when i come of them!
November 1, 2011
Pros:
Reduced number of large cysts
Easy to remember to take
Some reduction of back acne
Relatively cheap
Cons:
Had no effect on blackheads
Easy to take, and a good step up from benzyl peroxide. But, ultimately, did not make a huge difference, despite taking it for over a year.
Pros:
Barely any side effects
Eventually works