Doxycycline and Acne: What Users Say (Page 3)

• hel...
• November 5, 2016

For Acne "I usually had mild acne and a few leftover acne marks. During the summer, I broke out more than usual, and it got to a point where I had 3 very huge cystic pimples. A doctor recommended doxycycline. I took it for 3 months. At first, it was breaking me out (as everyone said it should), and really, it kept breaking me out until the month mark (a little after that), and by then I had so many leftover acne marks. I keep thinking that I could've waited for the 3 terrible cystic pimples to fade and I would've avoided getting all the leftover marks. I'm off doxycycline for about a week now. It's going well, I'm not breaking out more than I was on the medication, just tiny zits here and there that fade quickly. Assess your risk/benefit ratio before."

• Jes...
• November 19, 2015

For Acne "I started getting terrible acne since I stopped taking the pill 6 months ago. My normal cleanser and pimple routine weren't working and mostly made the acne worse. My GP prescribed 50 mg of doxycycline once daily, which didn't seem to work. Although the doctor told me the acne might get worse before it gets better, I decided to go back and ask for a stronger medication as it got a lot worse in the first two weeks of being on 50 mg. I was prescribed 100 mg once daily instead of going on to another medication. I'm now 2 months in, and I've started noticing a huge change. I've also changed my makeup to mineral, which has helped a lot! Don't forget that doxycycline makes your skin worse before it gets better, but don't give up! It works!!"

• Nic...
• October 9, 2019

For Acne "So I have been on lymecycline around two times and been on every cream that's known to man. I'm currently on doxy with benzoyl peroxide cream. So my new GP says that now apparently for people to pass requirements for Accutane, they need to have been on at least two antibiotics and three creams, so he put me on doxy (didn't want to) at one tablet a day for three months. Within three days of taking it, I can't drive at night because every light feels like full beam. The first time, I admit I took it on an empty stomach (was never told anything), so I thought okay, I'll take it with food... Nope, it's still awful. I'm pretty sure from two sets of lymecycline, which just didn't work after the first time, I feel like it's safe to presume I have now got antibiotic resistance to these drugs, so doxy is just a waste of time for me at least. Side effects so far: (after three days!) - Feeling dizzy - Cold - Throwing up - No strength to do anything - A few pimples have come in places I haven't had problems with."

• Ray...
• October 6, 2015

For Acne "I have been on this medication for a little over a month now, and I am very impressed. I have oily skin and have struggled with acne since middle school. Now that I am 22, I decided it was time for something to be done about it. I went to the dermatologist, and she prescribed me this medication, along with a topical gel for night and cleansing pads for the morning. The first week and a half, my face broke out even worse, but around week 3, I started seeing major improvements. I have no cystic acne anymore, and the pimples on my chin have cleared tremendously. I still get the occasional pimple, and I still have blackheads on my nose, but there is a significant improvement."

• Ray...
• October 6, 2015

For Acne "I have been on this medication for a little over a month now, and I am very impressed. I have oily skin and have struggled with acne since middle school. Now that I am 22, I decided it was time for something to be done about it. I went to the dermatologist, and she prescribed me this medication, along with a topical gel for night and cleansing pads for the morning. The first week and a half, my face broke out even worse, but around week 3, I started seeing major improvements. I have no cystic acne anymore, and the pimples on my chin have cleared tremendously. I still get the occasional pimple, and I still have blackheads on my nose, but there is a significant improvement."

• amy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 14, 2017

For Acne "I used doxycycline (200 mg) for about 19 months for my rosacea. Discontinued it about 3 weeks ago. Coming off the medication is wreaking havoc on my skin. My main issue with rosacea was the facial redness, not acne, but the doctor never really explained that doxycycline might not help the former, and I was so desperate to find a 'miracle drug' that I failed to ask the right questions or do the right research -- my fault. Now I'm dealing with acne, and it's absolutely disheartening. My cheeks and forehead look worse than ever. Not to mention weight gain and feelings of pressure in my head. I would not recommend this medication. I regret taking it. There should be a warning that discontinuing the med *WILL* result in negative effects on your skin."

• Ull...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

For Acne "I've been on doxy for almost 4 weeks now, and it has made my acne horrible. I have huge pimples covering my cheeks and chin. I know it's supposed to get worse before it gets better, but this is almost not worth it. How long does it take before it gets better? I'm losing patience."

• Ull...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

For Acne "I've been on doxy for almost 4 weeks now, and it has made my acne horrible. I have huge pimples covering my cheeks and chin. I know it's supposed to get worse before it gets better, but this is almost not worth it. How long does it take before it gets better? I'm losing patience."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2014

For Acne "Update! - As below, I stated that doxycycline and Epiduo did an outstanding job. It continued to do so for 1 and a half months, but they say all good things come to an end. Because I was getting used to the tetracycline antibiotic, I started getting little pimples - definitely not as bad as before, so my dermatologist switched me over to Oratane for the cure. I really am so happy doxycycline kick-started my clear skin. Don't forget to moisturize and sunscreen!"

• cau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Acne "The only thing it did was break out my skin. I used it for 3 months - went to the doctor midway, she said, 'It has to get worse before it gets better.' I moved cities, went to a new doctor, to which he told me to stop the prescriptions, and instead he gave me Tactupump/Epiduo instead, and now my skin is so much clearer!"

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2018

For Acne "My mom and I went to see a dermatologist to get a facial treatment, and the doctor prescribed me doxycycline for 1 month, 2 topical (Epiduo and Papulex), and an acne soap. I'm on my 1st week and 4 days of taking doxy, and my breakouts are worse than ever. My face is very red and painful. A lot of pustules were growing on my cheeks, although my forehead and chin were getting better (except for the unsightly scars). This is all normal, though, the doctor gave me a letter that says the effects of doxycycline. It says first you might see a lot of breakouts, you'll see the difference after 4-6 weeks, and the best results are after 12 weeks. I'm still hoping that my face will clear up because it's killing my self-confidence."

• Stu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

For Acne "It’s been 7 weeks exactly now. I am still breaking out just as bad, and every day there are new inflammatory areas. Doubt it’s the so-called “purge” after 7 weeks' time as this is almost the two-month mark. Will update in a week as it states 6-8 weeks, but at this stage, I must say I am doubtful."

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2018

For Acne "I've been on this for about a month now, and most of my skin is clear! I broke out really bad in the second week, and my skin is still healing from that. I have a few zits come in here and there, but they are tiny, unnoticeable, and go away within a day! Hoping to see even better results after my next month!"

• Jai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2018

For Acne "I've been on this for about a month now, and most of my skin is clear! I broke out really bad in the second week, and my skin is still healing from that. I have a few zits come in here and there, but they are tiny, unnoticeable, and go away within a day! Hoping to see even better results after my next month!"

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2016

For Acne "I took doxycycline for severe cystic acne for six months. My skin cleared up beautifully, however, once I stopped taking it, within a week, my skin broke out 10 times worse than it was before I started taking doxycycline. I ended up not only with the usual painful cystic acne but also, on top of that, developed acne rosacea... So my face was lumpy, painful, and terribly red."

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2011

Doxycycline for Acne "I am a teen who suffered from borderline mild to severe acne. My dermatologist prescribed Epiduo. Nothing happened over the 6 weeks. She then put me on Doryx with it. I fell in love with my skin after about a week. It dried up current problem spots and never caused a breakout. However, do NOT take in calcium while on this. The medicine will bind to the calcium and will not take effect. Whenever I eat a good amount of cheese, milk, or dairy, I break out. You should experiment with your diet if this medicine does not work for you."

• kar...
• March 20, 2017

For Acne "Used doxycycline for mild acne, was not cystic or inflamed, just whiteheads and lots on forehead, around chin and back. As soon as I started taking this medication, I broke out on my chin, cheeks, and jawline worse than I ever had before. My acne on my forehead seems to have flattened and is less red, but overall, my acne became worse than it ever has. I have red scars and clusters of deep, painful pimples all along the base of my cheek that I have never experienced before. Looking back, my skin was better without this medication, and I wish I had never tried it. Major regrets."

• kar...
• March 20, 2017

For Acne "Used doxycycline for mild acne, was not cystic or inflamed, just whiteheads and lots on forehead, around chin and back. As soon as I started taking this medication, I broke out on my chin, cheeks, and jawline worse than I ever had before. My acne on my forehead seems to have flattened and is less red, but overall, my acne became worse than it ever has. I have red scars and clusters of deep, painful pimples all along the base of my cheek that I have never experienced before. Looking back, my skin was better without this medication, and I wish I had never tried it. Major regrets."

• Kie...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 4, 2018

For Acne "I had not severe but noticeable acne and wanted it cleared. Was on medication for 6 months. First 3 months I broke out awful, then it cleared and my skin was clear, just hyperpigmentation marks. Been off it two weeks and been waking up with a new spot every morning, entering depression again. No idea what to do."

• And...
• February 9, 2017

For Acne "I first took doxy at the age of 16. I took it for about 4 months, and after those 4 months, my face was stunning. My perfect face lasted for a year and a half, with the occasional period breakouts (which only consisted of 1 or 2 pimples). Then my face started going crazy again, I decided to take the pills again. This time I only took 3 months' worth of pills, but yet again, when I stopped taking them, my face remained flawless again for 6 months! A couple of months ago (Dec 2016), my face was starting to show signs of acne. I was prescribed only 1 month's worth of doxy this time (by my family doctor), and my face was becoming clear once again. Yet when I ran out of pills, my face took a turn for the worst. 3 MO. MIN FOR THIS PILL OR HELL BREAKS LOOSE!!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2021

For Acne "Only here in the first month of taking this medication. Face cleared up well. But now my skin is flaky, and broken out everywhere!!! It hurts. I’m assuming this is the purge!!! I do get nauseous, but it is important to eat!!"

• jou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Acne "WORST medication I have ever taken, wow. I was having a few acne breakouts due to the IUD. Got the IUD removed and was put on doxy. Wow, within 2 days I was breaking out nonstop but powered through because of a purge. Fast forward to 2 months later, skin is so bad it looks like I had hives on my face, but it was just actual huge pimples everywhere. I would cry and never leave the house. Thankful my derm put me on spironolactone and it saved me!! 2 months into no doxy and just spiro and things are looking AMAZING. Moral of the story is ... do NOT TAKE THIS. I don't know one person that it has worked for, but everyone is different! Best of luck."

• Ger...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

For Acne "I started taking doxy on Nov 25, and it was the worst mistake I made. I've been on it for a month and a half, and it made my skin look worse than how it was. I only had mild acne, which I used to get really big pimples, but now it’s triple the pimples. It didn’t work for me, now my face looks red."

• Win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

Doxycycline 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 an antibacterial drug, so you most likely 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 definitely not least, it will break you out even more, like severely more, but I heard that that's a good thing. It's supposed 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 used to get. Hopefully, after my 30-day supply is gone, I'll be able to stay off it."

• Win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2018

Doxycycline 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 an antibacterial drug, so you most likely 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 definitely not least, it will break you out even more, like severely more, but I heard that that's a good thing. It's supposed 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 used to get. Hopefully, after my 30-day supply is gone, I'll be able to stay off it."