Doxycycline and Acne: What Users Say (Page 4)

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Acne "I’ve been on doxycycline for 2 months now, and since starting it, my acne has worsened significantly. I’ve suffered from breakouts and some scarring for the past 4 years, but my acne has never been as bad as it is now. I have visited the dermatologist who prescribed me doxycycline twice since starting it, and she has noted that it has worsened my skin and that we will need to try a different approach. My acne is now cystic and painful, which it had never been before, and I’ve broken out on my entire face rather than just my T-zone like normal. My scarring is more pigmented, and all in all, I’ve seen adverse changes in my skin from it.:("

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Acne "I’ve been on doxycycline for 2 months now, and since starting it, my acne has worsened significantly. I’ve suffered from breakouts and some scarring for the past 4 years, but my acne has never been as bad as it is now. I have visited the dermatologist who prescribed me doxycycline twice since starting it, and she has noted that it has worsened my skin and that we will need to try a different approach. My acne is now cystic and painful, which it had never been before, and I’ve broken out on my entire face rather than just my T-zone like normal. My scarring is more pigmented, and all in all, I’ve seen adverse changes in my skin from it.:("

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2019

For Acne "I’ve been on doxycycline for 2 months now, and since starting it, my acne has worsened significantly. I’ve suffered from breakouts and some scarring for the past 4 years, but my acne has never been as bad as it is now. I have visited the dermatologist who prescribed me doxycycline twice since starting it, and she has noted that it has worsened my skin and that we will need to try a different approach. My acne is now cystic and painful, which it had never been before, and I’ve broken out on my entire face rather than just my T-zone like normal. My scarring is more pigmented, and all in all, I’ve seen adverse changes in my skin from it.:("

• Lon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2019

For Acne "Been taking 1 capsule a day of doxycycline 100 mg for 37 days now to clear up acne. Had large red spots and constant new breakouts the whole time on this so far. Will update from 6th week as the guidelines say 6-8 weeks to even begin working. Does anyone know why antibiotics take so long to take effect for acne? I can’t find an answer anywhere but very curious as to why they take so long to take any effect whatsoever, let alone make acne worse to begin with too."

• Al_...
• September 8, 2016

For Acne "I've been on doxy for some time now, at least 3 months+. I had a horrible experience with the drug at the start. I saw no improvements for about a month, then my skin just increasingly got worse. It was extremely painful, and it was mostly all down the sides of my face from ear to lips. It played a lot with my mental state because I wasn't sure if it was the breakout before it got better or my skin was just going crazy and this was just my life now. It took over a month for the breakouts to calm down, and now I've been left with scarring that looks terrible. I've got quite pale skin, so it is very noticeable. So at this point, even though my skin has had slight improvements, I don't think this was the right path for me."

• Cle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2018

For Acne "I've been on doxy for about 6 weeks now. Within the first week of taking it, I had a major breakout. We're talking close to 7 cysts on my chin. These slowly dissipated, and I'm now experiencing about a cyst a week on my chin. My acne is hormonal, considering the fact I am an 18-year-old male, and I should let it play out. However, the deep, painful cysts are still too much, and I am struggling in school. My doctor told me that you should see major results within the third week. When I return, he will probably put me on isotretinoin and see how that goes. Doxy wasn't the best option for me."

• gal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2017

For Acne "I started taking this drug when my acne got worse. Before that, I had only tried topical acne treatments (B.P., erythromycin), which worked well at first but later became ineffective. I had several cysts and pustules by the time I started this drug, it healed my cysts fairly fast but broke me out in pustules. After the two-month mark (I took it for 3), my acne had decreased noticeably. I was really happy for about a month after I was done, until my acne came back much, much worse. I'm not saying this drug is definitely the reason, but logically speaking, my acne was never this bad. It was very cystic, inflamed, and painful. I was crying every day and not going out. Then my dermatologist started me on isotretinoin, which I'm still currently taking."

• Kph...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2018

For Acne "I’ve been on doxycycline for 2 weeks now, and it’s just made my skin worse. More pimples are showing up, and it’s not the greatest. I’m also using a tretinoin cream (I’ve been using it for a while). Nothing is working for my skin. I haven’t had clear skin since I was 10, and I’m 18. I’m hoping doxycycline kicks in and does its magical job. I’ve tried everything."

• 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."

• Gra...
• June 26, 2019

For Acne "I always had very mild acne until I moved to DC after college, and my skin got steadily worse. I went on the pill, but it exacerbated the issue. My derm put me on doxycycline (2 pills a day) and adapalene, a retinoid cream, at the same time. When they say it will get worse before it gets better-believe them. My skin broke out 10X worse than it has ever been in my life. It was honestly embarrassing to go to work/socialize. It stopped breaking out so badly after about a month, but then it was an EXTREMELY slow improvement. However-after 4 months, my skin was almost completely clear, so I reduced my doxy intake to 1 pill/day (saw no difference in my skin), and after a month, I stopped entirely and saw no difference in my skin (despite what everyone says about your skin breaking out terribly when you stop doxy). I think what actually helped was adapalene, which I still use every night. Doxy is a fine option if you are desperate, but start with retinoid and see if that helps first."

• Mit...
• May 22, 2019

For Acne "I’ve been on doxycycline for about 3 months, and at first, I was seeing great results until it just got worse, and it doesn’t seem to be getting better. I’m getting breakouts in places I’ve never had a problem with."

• Use...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2019

For Acne "Got 6 days left out of a 3-month course, and what a disaster. First month, my acne broke out really bad. Then, start of the second month, it cleared back to what it was like before. Then, towards the end of the month and the last month, my acne is so bad it's unreal. Came out with worse acne than before, plus all the side effects. What a waste of money and time, to be honest. I'm not too disappointed because if it did work at all, I'd be even madder when it came back a month later. Antibiotics do not work at all. Sure, if you've never been on them before, they'll work just like any new treatment your body isn't used to, but it will just come back. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anyone. Went from mild acne to now triple. Time for Accutane. Thank you, next."

• SCa...
• May 25, 2017

For Acne "I have moderate to almost severe acne. I have been on doxycycline for almost 4 months now, and my skin has improved drastically. At the first part of taking the medication, I started purging real bad that I dread leaving the house every time. Have some patience with this medication because it only took effect for me in the 3rd month. I'm only left with all the acne scarring now, very occasional pimples popping out and breaking out when it's about to be the time of my month! This is my third time trying out this antibiotic, as the first two times I never had the determination to continue the entire phase. Make sure your derm is lowering your dosage along the journey because I heard it helps a lot in avoiding horrible breakouts after stopping the med."

• Ali...
• April 27, 2016

For Acne "I just started Acticlate about a week ago, and I'll be honest, my face is 20x worse. I only get acne around my chin area, and I have never seen it this bad. BUT I have noticed I am starting to see slight improvement, and I believe that it gets worse before it gets better. I will continue this product and hopefully have clear skin before long!"

• AK2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2021

For Acne "I took doxycycline for my cystic acne along with Taro BP/clindamycin. I have finished the pills and am now on Taro BP/clindamycin for now. I took doxycycline for about 6 weeks (40 days), and it did help with improving my condition. The first two weeks I was dealing with painful acne and redness, which can be due to the purge of starting it. After that, my skin cleared up pretty nicely - still have scarring, but it’s gotten better. With the drug, if your immune system is compromised, don’t take it - it can cause problems! Eat it with food for better digestion. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids with it - I drank a full glass of water and kept drinking water throughout the day. Keep in mind with antibiotics, your acne CAN come back - you need a long-term prescription to help prevent it from coming. Take care of your gut, and if your acne is really bothering you, this is an effective drug to clear it up temporarily."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2018

For Acne "After doing 6 months of minocycline and successfully getting rid of my acne, I started having blemishes on my back and parts of my face, so my doctor prescribed me doxycycline 100 mg and Retin A every day. Was on it for 3 months and a half, and I developed the worst breakout I’ve ever had, and my acne became way worse than when I started on minocycline. I curse and regret the day I started on doxycycline since now I have cysts and pimples on my face, back, chest, sometimes ears, and now starting to get on my arms. I’m about to go on Accutane next month, and I’m praying that this will actually do the job."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2018

For Acne "After doing 6 months of minocycline and successfully getting rid of my acne, I started having blemishes on my back and parts of my face, so my doctor prescribed me doxycycline 100 mg and Retin A every day. Was on it for 3 months and a half, and I developed the worst breakout I’ve ever had, and my acne became way worse than when I started on minocycline. I curse and regret the day I started on doxycycline since now I have cysts and pimples on my face, back, chest, sometimes ears, and now starting to get on my arms. I’m about to go on Accutane next month, and I’m praying that this will actually do the job."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2017

For Acne "I was put on doxy 50 mg once a day. I am onto my 3rd week. I can tell you in the first week I saw a bit more flare-up in my acne. When the 2nd week came around, it was the worst flare-up I've ever had, and it's still continuing. Either my dosage is too little, or it's just making things a whole lot worse. My face wasn't that bad 3 weeks ago. I have never had acne this bad before. I'm 23 and have always had pimples, but only small ones and their odd big ones. Now, my cheeks, jawline, and neck are covered in cystic acne. Starting doxy, I even stopped all sugar, started drinking green tea, and eating more fruit, and only drinking water."

• Hap...
• September 19, 2017

For Acne "Okay, so I've had pneumonia (viral) and now I'm left with post-viral bacterial bronchitis infection. I've been given doxycycline (Sandoz) tablets and have only taken six tablets. Now my doctor also noticed that I have quite severe acne and scarring. He explained about the medicine and said if my skin starts clearing up, let him know, and I can get more. My experience so far is amazing, the only reason why it's one off from 10/10 is that I did break out in the first 3 days, and it brought up an ugly big pimple that has left me bruised. Three days later, it's almost gone. My face is not as sore as it was before. On top of it, I do have a daily routine (sometimes). I take Bio Zinc tablets, deep cleanser (Nivea), and Real-U (cream) on the affected areas. I clean my face 4 days a week."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2023

For Acne "I've been taking this medication now for 5 weeks. I have to say I'm suffering from some sort of strange ongoing acne, which becomes irritating and itchy. It's affected my chin, nose, and forehead. It's been so bad to the point I won't go out anywhere. I take 2 tablets a day, morning and night, 200 mg, as 1 tablet didn't work on my acne. In the first week, nothing worked, same for the 3rd week also. But now I've noticed after 4/5 weeks the acne has subsided, but it has returned a tiny bit in the last 2 days out of the blue. So disappointed as everything was clearing up and I was feeling happy. I will stick with the medication and see what it's like in the next week or so. If no improvement, I'll be contacting my doctor to see about another treatment."

• Jim...
• December 7, 2017

For Acne "This did not work for me. It made my stomach hurt constantly, and after two and a half months, my skin had gotten noticeably worse. This caused depression and just overall sadness. This drug hurts your stomach and makes your acne worse. Do not recommend."

• HH2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2018

For Acne "I have always struggled with acne. It’s never been too severe, but I’m in college and don’t feel like waking up early for class every day to cover up a few blemishes. I went to the dermatologist about 6 weeks ago, and he prescribed me doxy 100 mg once a day, taken on a full stomach. I use Epiduo Forte on my face in the evenings. The first few days, my face cleared up a lot. But let me tell you, I’ve NEVER HAD ACNE ON MY ENTIRE BODY LIKE THIS! Yes, I would break out on my shoulders, sometimes a pimple on my arm, but 3 weeks into doxy, my arms, shoulders, down to my butt, and even thighs (never had an issue in my life before) are terrible! I’m talking dozens of zits clustered everywhere in those areas. While I’m happy I am finally able to feel confident in my face, the doxy seemed to have a reverse effect on all other parts of my body. So basically, the part I wanted clear is wonderful, and everywhere else that was clear is terrible. I wonder if the Epiduo is the real miracle worker."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2016

For Acne "I had taken doxy along with birth control pills when I was 16 to help combat my acne. And it worked wonders, my face was always clear. Now, however, three years later, I tried to start taking it again but without the birth control since I now have an IUD. My face is horrible. It's worse than it was when I wasn't taking anything at all. I know it's supposed to get worse before it gets better, but damn, it's been about three months now on it for the second time, and my face is so red with constant breakouts. I think I'm going to try Accutane."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2017

For Acne "I've been on doxycycline for 2 months now, and I haven't seen improvement. My acne around my mouth and chin has gotten worse. Mind you, my forehead is pretty clear. My acne has left dark spots that won't disappear. It's now painful cystic acne instead of small pimples. I am not impressed and hoped to switch medications once finished with this bottle."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2010

Doxycycline for Acne "Works great - but when I stopped, acne came back. Cleared up again, now I'm back on them, but I just worry how long I need to be on them. First started about 5 months ago - saw a huge difference within the first month. Definitely recommend it!"