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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15.2%
4
34.1%
3
23.4%
2
15.9%
1
11.4%

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September 26, 2010

Pros:

None, this pill does NADA.

Cons:

Takes FOREVER to see any "little" result . But you wont see any

Im 16 & I have bad acne and Ive been taking this stupid tetracycline pill for like a year now & it didnt do zip . I just went to my dermatologist and told him I was taking Tetracycline and he laughed at me and said thats a waay old acne pill . So he perscribed me with " Bactrim " .. Ive been taking this pill for 2 weeks and like my acne is GONE !! soo.. get Bactrim not Tetracycline, or you will be disappointed .
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August 22, 2010

Pros:

learned time management

Cons:

have to take it on an empty stomach
didn't do any thing
Side effects are harsh

it really didnt work for me at all.
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August 20, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up my acne in 5 months.

Cons:

-I had moderate acne and it took 4-5 months to clear my acne.
-Acne returns once you stop taking them.
-Lips and skin are dry.
-The first few months are the worst as it makes you break out. After that your acne begins to heal.
-Stomach aches.
-It's poison to your body.

This has too many bad side effects and it didn't work too well for me even tough I used it for six months.
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August 18, 2010

Pros:

nothing

Cons:

too many
toxic in the body
dry lips and skin
nausea

do not take this drug
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August 16, 2010

Pros:

NONE

Cons:

Did absolutely nothing. Waste of time. Still get spots and no improvement in redness.

I was on sebomin when I was put on this. Sebomin is much better and doesn't need to be on an empty stomach
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July 20, 2010

Pros:

My acne was beginning to clear up after about a few weeks, with more improvements, like less redness and inflammation, after a month. The pills were easy to take, and I didn't really experience much appetite loss.

Cons:

However, having to take it on an empty stomach, or an hour or so after a meal, can conflict with some people's schedules.

Yet, my biggest issue with Tetracycline is that it proved to be ototoxic ("poisonous" to the ear) in my left ear, leaving me with mild tinnitus that has persisted for two years.

Apparently all drugs in the Tetracycline family can be ototoxic, but I presume many more drugs have the off chance of being ototoxic, as well. I can't completely rate the drug on its effectiveness, since my doctor instructed me to stop taking immediately after the tinnitus set in. If you're willing to take the risk, then Tetracycline may prove successful, but I have switched to the topical cream Azelex, which has no chance of causing tinnitus (unless you put it in your ear...).
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July 3, 2010

Pros:

cleared up acne within 1-2 months

Cons:

remembering to take it

I had pretty bad acne and eventually I went to see a dermatologist. He prescribed me to take tetracycline twice a day. Within a month to two months, I did notice a change in my acne. Now I only get one or two pimples just around the time of my period. I tried every other product, Neutrogena, Clean&Clear, etc, but nothing helped my acne except this life saver! The only con I found with this product was remembering to take it and planning it around meals (and learning not to lay down right after I take it or I got really bad stomach aches). Once my acne cleared up I missed a few days, maybe even a month before I started to take it again. But even during the time I didn`t take it, I never broke out.
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June 11, 2010

Pros:

+clear my acne within weeks

Cons:

-sun sensitivity
-i became immune i guess

i have had moderate/mederately severve ance since 6th grade. My mom told me that when she was my age everybody took this drug for their acne. I went on it and within a few weeks my skin was looking better and was healing. This was in Septemer. By the time June came, my doctor wanted to take me off because I'm still in high school and "irresponsible" with sunblock. My skin kept on looking fabulous until mid-August (maybe i got stressed because I didn't do my summer reading), but I broke out again. I decided to go back on this "miracle drug" for the winter but it had no effect anymore : ( I have tried a few other antibiotics since and none have worked like Tetracycline
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June 10, 2010

Pros:

Clears skin initially. Worked wonders on my rosacea.

Cons:

When you stop it, the misery is back
Made me break out tremendously on my back, something i still suffer with several years later
Antibiotics shouldn´t be taken lightly
Tested on animals

Started this for rosacea. Made skin look better, but after i stopped it, it all went back to normal. Caused baaad breakouts of acne on my back and i still suffer with it to this day. I WOULD NEVER USE IT AGAIN!!!!
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June 9, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up acne, reduced scarring, stablized skin's oil production

Cons:

Not being able to eat when i want

I'm 15, and i eat spirastically, so it was very hard for me to keep up on taking the pill twice a day. I stayed on track for a few months, but then just got lazy. And guess what! My acne came back. So tonight im taking one of those gosh darn pills. But it'll be worth it.
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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

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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.
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