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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34.1%
3
23.4%
2
15.9%
1
11.4%

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February 28, 2008

Pros:

Eliminated cystic acne on back, and mild acne on face

Cons:

nausea, dry skin on rest of body, birth control not effective

I am not sure whether the change in my skin is due solely to this product, because I started taking oral birth control at about a month before I started. I use ortho tri-cycline lo, and they have yet to study whether it effects acne. Also, i have eczema, so the dry skin is an issue. I'm not sure whether that is a common side effect though. I can no longer drink coffee and some sodas because the medicine has made my stomach so sensitive that they make me sick. Other than that, the acne on my back and face has been completely eliminated. I am nervous about going off of the medication because it sometimes comes back. And I am also nervous about the summer because sunscreen irritated my skin, but i am willing to take all of these side effects and risks because my skin is clear. bottom line.
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February 26, 2008

Pros:

Cleared my acne up in a week

Cons:

I am worried about the long-term outlook

I am taking Doryx, a brand of Doxycycline every 12 hours (at a dosage of 100mg). I have been really happy with the results, because my face has dramatically improved in a very short time. However, I really do not like having to depend on antibiotics to clear my skin because I know taking them for the rest of my life (or for a few years, for that matter) is not possible. I plan to take my prescription for the next few months and wean myself off in conjunction with encouraging the growth of healthy flora in my digestive system with probiotics and maintaining a healthy diet.
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February 25, 2008

Pros:

Skin is beautiful! Don't mind avoiding the dairy. I miss being in the sun! But that is so bad for your skin anyway -

Cons:

I must use sun block if I go out more than five minutes or I get fever blisters on my lips while taking Tetracycline. Boy if I forget, I pay dearly. I have bone loss. Borderline Osteoporosus(sp?) This probably isn't a good medicine for me.

I wonder how much this medicine is contributing to my bone loss. I like it tho because my skin stays clear. If I miss one day - my roscasa(sp?) comes right back - My eyes are bloodshot like in a hangover so I'm sure I should take a break - BUT I don't want the skin problems! I love the sun - but I will 'cover-up' because it's worth it! So I must take plenty of Calcium and Vitamin D because of my bone issues. At first I thought the dairy just made the medicine ineffective - but found out from reading - eating dairy with or around your dose not only makes the tetracycline ineffective - it downright sucks the calcium out of your system. Check out other web sites, [link removed] etc. So my scheduling is an extra headache. My daughter is getting married soon - so after the wedding I think I'll take a 'medicine break'. It really helps my skins too, if I avoid caffiene, chocolate, and sugar.
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February 11, 2008

Pros:

Does help w/ the cystic acne; Cleans up bacteria on face

Cons:

I feel sick when I take this medicine; Have to plan eating schedule.

I don't take this medicine often, just when I get a cyst on my face. I'll take the meds for the full 10 days that my dr. usually prescribes me and that's it. I can't see myself taking tetracycline for too long. It interferes with my eating schedule and I don't like that feeling of being nauseated. But it does the job.
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February 11, 2008

Pros:

This work great for me at first. My skin cleared up after a month or so. Its cheap too.

Cons:

You have to be careful what you eat after and before you take it especially dairy. After 6 months of being on it I went off and my acne came back worse than it was before. After 1 1/2 years of being on it, it doesnt work anymore.

Tetracycline is a creat product for a short term fix. I have been on it for so long and my body has gotten used to the medication and now my skin is really bad again. The down side is that Tetracycline not only kills the bad bacteria but also kills the good bacteria too. If you ever decide to go off of it, Id be prepared to see some pretty serious break outs. I was on it for about 6-7 months and my skin became PERFECT...then went off of it and my skin got worse than it had ever been. I started taking it again and it never did get better like it had.
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February 5, 2008

Pros:

One simple pro: it really helped my skin clear up.

Cons:

The one hour before and two hours after is a little bit of a pain, this is nothing compared to how nice it is to have clear skin.

This is a great option for people with semi-serious acne, and have not seen much results with other products. My dermitologist was going to do acutane, and decided to try this first. I'm really grateful, because the side effect of acutane as far worse than tetracycline. I'm i little worried because i'm told i'll have to go off it eventually because of the chance of developing a tolerance. STRONG RECOMMEND
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February 4, 2008

Pros:

I used Topicycline (the topical Tetracycline lotion) for a couple of years, and it cleared up my skin really well. I used to get the odd whitehead, but most of the time my skin was clear. I didn't get any side-effects.

Cons:

Didn't help with blackheads. Had an unpleasant smell, and a yellow colour which showed on my skin, but could be rinsed off after an hour.

Unfortunately you can't get Topicycline any more in the UK. It was the only acne medication I have tried that worked with my skin. I'm still looking for something that works as well as this did.
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January 29, 2008

Pros:

Face is nearly perfect every single day. Life has been far better ever since.

Cons:

Cant eat when I want, and sometimes get empty stomach pains, not that bad though.

This product started working right away on my face. But, my back still had painful bumps. So I upped my dose to 2 capsules a day which helped my back. But, still I break out on my back every once in a while. But, my face is nearly perfect everyday! When a little tiny zit DOES pop up, its taken care of within a day. Just hate having to plan my days around these pills though.
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January 26, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up moderate acne pretty quicky but blackheads on nose continue also on shoulders.

Cons:

Moderate hair thining if taken over period of time, heartburn, increased photosensitivity.

Best medicine ever used for moderate acne. Though results are slow and steady.
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January 25, 2008

Pros:

it definately helped my skin, as it was quite bad before. massive improvement in just months.

Cons:

annoying taking the medication an hour before food and two hours after. made me feel sick so didnt each much. made me loose a stone in the 2 months of taking it, which was not good as quite petite anyway, so had to come of them.

they are really great for helping your skin, however, it has a different effect on everyone, so just expect what happened to me, to happen to you. I would recommend this antibiotic for bad skin as i found it deffinately helped.
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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