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Acticlate User Reviews & Ratings

Acticlate has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 8 reviews on Drugs.com. 33% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 33% reported a negative experience.

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  • Sab...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 16, 2020

For Acne "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I was prescribed Acticlate in 2015 and took it for about a month for my acne. It gave me permanent blind spots. It’s been 5 years, and they’re still present. I have read about other people to whom this has happened. Look up “doxycycline blindness.” Obviously, medications are different for everyone, but I was perfectly healthy and not expecting to go blind."

1 / 10
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59 Report
  • Bec...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 11, 2015

For Acne "Once I moved to a more humid climate around 8th grade, my skin exploded, and I decided to start the original Proactiv, and while it was harsh on my skin at first, it worked wonders for the 4-5 years I used it. After my skin got used to the Proactiv formula, I tried everything from Biore to Clean and Clear to gentle cleansers like Neutrogena. I'm now 20, and the acne was getting in the way of my self-confidence, so I decided to make an appointment with my dermatologist, and she prescribed Acticlate (doxycycline). I broke out on and off for about a month, but now it's mostly scarring and the occasional small pimple. If you're going on doxycycline, stick it out! I promise it's so worth it."

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17 Report
  • Mom...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • August 7, 2018

For Acne "My son started this after developing cystic acne. Within 4 months of use and monthly facials, we thought it was a blessing. His face was clear and almost no traces of acne. However, by month 6 he began having severe body aches, lethargic, fevers, and losing weight. The dermatologist said this medication would not cause these side effects. After seeing a rheumatologist, neurological, several, and I mean several ER visits, we could not find a diagnosis for his severe issues. By month 10 he had lost 15 lbs, countless days of missed school, let alone the pain he was suffering. My son decided to stop the medication. Doctors all said it would not be the cause of his symptoms. Could it be coincidental that a month after stopping this medication he no longer had body pain? 2 months later he regained his energy. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to gain his weight back, which is fine, at least I got my son back. I won't say this doesn't work, but the unknown side effects were not worth it. Not for my son."

2 / 10
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10 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Kri...
  • December 8, 2015

For Acne "This medicine is great. I just started developing acne 2 years ago (I'm 26). I tried everything from eating raw/clean, eliminating dairy, drinking more H2O... and all of the other 'free yourself of acne myths.' I hate being on medicine. I'm a very live natural person. I did a lot of research on this after my dermatologist prescribed it to me. It seems to not have any long-term side effects. I learned quickly, within the first 2 weeks of taking it, you have to take it with food starting out. I would throw up otherwise. But when you get used to it, it's fine. I also made the mistake of having 1 beer with it when I first started taking it. Definitely puked after that. Anyway, my skin cleared up IMMEDIATELY. Like 2 weeks after I started it!"

9 / 10
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12 Report
  • Can...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 17, 2017

For Acne "I've been on for one week now, 75mg a day/3months. I have for the most part always had clear skin all of my life w/ an occasional pimple. I'm 27 and just this year I've been breaking out, cystic acne out of no where. I finally went to the derm after everything else failed. Like I said, it's been a week and I can tell you this medicine is tricky. I have some side effects, abnominal pain, severe headaches, couple others, but I see a such a difference! The stuff stuck in my skin is coming out, it's not drying my skin like trentinoin did. I've never been on medicine like this so take it at night before bed to avoid feeling some of the symptoms. Avoid the sun+ any drinking when on this, it will make you vomit!"

7 / 10
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7 Report

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  • Ash...
  • December 4, 2015

For Acne "I have been on this medicine for three weeks and I am using it with retin-a nightly. I can say that this medicine seems to be doing the job for me. I did read some reviews that said this medicine may make your face worse before it gets better, but that was not the case for me. However, my face did seem to appear quite dry, but not to the point where it would hurt/burn. Only a couple patches of my face seemed to be dry and I am sure to apply moisturizer an hour after applying retin-a. Moisturizer will be your bestfriend when using this medicine (I highly recommend cetaphil moisturizer). I had lots of comodones on my forehead and now, I have just a few which can be tolerated. Hopefully they will go away within 2 months."

9 / 10
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8 Report
  • Win...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 1, 2018

For Acne "Well well well...so I started this product a little over a month ago and I'll tell you first because I wish someone would have told me, for the LADIES it is a antibacterial drug so you most like WILL HAVE A YEAST INFECTION! lol so that's first, Next this is for men and women, IF NOT TAKEN ON A FULL STOMACH YOU WILL THROW UP! and last but def not least, it will break you out even more like severely more but I heard that that's a good thing, its suppose to get all the bacteria from the inside and push it out and then your face will get better and that seems to be happening to me. I get a few pimples here and there but nothing like I use to get, hopefully after my 30day supply is gone I'll be able to STAY OFF IT"

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5 Report
  • Sls...
  • November 28, 2018

For Acne "I’ve been taking a 75 mg dosage for about 6-8 months. It cleared my face but I’ve noticed several side effects that developed over time including weight loss, strange thoughts, mild anxiety and mild depression."

6 / 10
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3 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.