Acne.org Products
Oral Antibiotic
Efficacy
54%
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 and only to some people, and may lead to side effects and strains of resistant bacteria. Studies do show they can 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 Minocycline? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
February 9, 2011
Cons:
I had drug induced lupus as a result of taking this antibiotic. I started having sudden severe arthritis in all of my joints (I mean so severe I couldn't eat some days because of the jaw pain, could hardly dress myself, etc), nausea, dizziness, fevers, weight loss, hair loss, any many other awful symptoms. I have never been so sick in my life and got progressively worse for about 3 months until a rheumatologist figured out it was the minocycline causing it.
Please, please, please be extremely careful if you are taking minocycline and avoid it at all costs if you can. My symptoms came on very suddenly after taking it for about 3 months, and the same could happen to anyone else. I'm lucky I didn't have permanent liver damage as a result (you can also get drug induced hepatitis from this), but I still have occasional residual arthritis.
November 3, 2009
Pros:
Easy to take. I take it twice a day. I have a lot of hope in this product.
Cons:
Seems to be making my acne worse...It has created small bumps all over my forehead, and larger breakouts on my chin. Im disappointed with it.
Is it normal for this product to make you break out worse before getting better. My derm told me by 8 weeks, my acne scars and all new pimples shouldnt exsist. Im worried that this product is giving me adverse effects. Does anyone know more about this??
March 25, 2008
Pros:
It works if you take it regularly (don't skip)
Cons:
Makes me sick to my stomach if not taken with a substantial meal. Rebound effect (acne gets worse by 10X once therapy is discontinued)
I have a love/hate relationship with this pill. I did a year on this drug back in 2006. I took 100mg twice a day. If you don't take it with food, you will vomit which defeats the purpose of taking it. It took a solid 2 months of consistent use before I saw results, so don't give up on this drug! It was great for the last 9 months. I suffered from moderate cystic acne on my face and a little bit on my back. This pill made it so I got one or two hormonal zits during my cycle. After one year, my doctor wouldn't refill for another year until I came in for a exam. I didn't get to it for six months. For me, there was a terrible rebound effect. I broke out with every kind of zit all over my face, back, neck and chest. I looked horrible. I wanted to cry. It took four months for my skin to calm down a little. I am not a candidate for accutane at this time, so now I am two weeks into my second course. I've tried many OTC and none works like this pill.
March 24, 2008
Pros:
I'm pretty sure its working its way with my Differin gel.
Cons:
None
No breakouts
July 23, 2007
Pros:
It did clear up my skin after prolonged use but I still get the odd pimple.
Cons:
I thought I had the flu but it was acutally the minocycline. I was vomiting and was constantly dizzy. I actually passed out a couple of times.
It works but there are bad side effects. I'd try topical remedies first if you can.
June 17, 2013
feel so sick
Cold sweats. Feel like puking. Extremely dizzy. Not going to take it again. I walked to the kitchen a little bit ago and i could see stuff moving the way sparklers move when you wave em real fast. I'm having a really hard time even typing this right now because they backlight on my keyboard is freaking me out. I feel like my eyes are moving really fast. I'm going to lay down before I hurt myself.
January 31, 2010
Pros:
none
Cons:
It did not clear my acne.
I tried minocycline a couple years back so I can't remember what exactly this did to my skin. but I do remember it not working at all and have to try something else.
October 14, 2009
Pros:
haven't seen any yet
Cons:
no change so far
i just started taking the medication a few days ago, there is a slight improvement, but nothing too much so far, but a lot of people that i know that take it says it work so im hoping for the best
June 13, 2008
Pros:
It was very cheap and easy to take a pill once a day.
Cons:
Rash, I tried taking this medication three times and within a few days each time I got a horrible rash all over my chest.
The rash I got was not worth any small effects the medication had. I tried taking allergy medicine and it only lessened the pain from the rash. When I went to the derm they asked if I just sprayed my perfume too close. Uh no it's the medicine every time. It drove me crazy to change my detergent, watch what I ate and stop using any body products just to find that the mino was the problem.
April 28, 2008
Product used: Solodyn (Oral Antibiotic)
Pros:
I used to get bumps like every other day but after my dermatoligist perscribed Solodyn, for one month and I did not get any bumps.I stopped using it only because I started on accutane...
Cons:
Thank God for insurance because the medicine is very expensive. It was $532.00, but with my insurance I payed $100.
I would recommend this to anyone that is really in need of something that works...
Pros:
None