Minocycline and Itching: What Users Say

• Cal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2016

For Rosacea "My rosacea after 40 flared up the worst I've ever seen. Small pustules started on the left side of my cheek, spreading and covering my whole entire face, except for my nose, down to my neck, and facial swelling around the eyes. All my flare-ups are always associated with itching, stinging, and a crawling feeling on my face. My doctor put me on Minocycline 100 MG twice a day, and after 2 days, I saw major results. Small pustules disappeared quickly, and itching stopped. I am an African American with rosacea."

• Moz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2019

For Acne "So glad I read all of these comments on here! I started this medication about 3 weeks ago for a mild skin issue. My dermatologist said it could cause headaches. I had no side effects the first week, and then every day at the same time in the afternoon I would experience a sudden, horrible stiff neck and flu-like symptoms of feeling tired, miserable, etc. I developed a random deep cough but no congestion. This happened every day for over a week. I tried a different chair at work, sleeping differently, a new pillow, etc. Nothing helped. Then my palms started itching unbearably - which I knew could be a medication reaction, so I stopped the medication. Within 3 days, the stiff neck and all other issues stopped. I had no idea an antibiotic could cause flu-like symptoms and a stiff neck! So glad I stopped taking this and so glad to read I wasn't the only one. So sorry for everyone who has been affected by this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2016

For Acne "My first week of taking this drug was terrible. My acne got worse, and I broke out in hives. I was itchy. I felt ugly, and I was miserable and ready to quit. I didn't even want to leave the house! I continued with it, and one week later, my skin is clearing up, my hives have gone away, and I'm starting to be really happy with the results. If this drug makes your skin worse in the first week, don't quit because it will get better!!!"

• Kat...
• November 8, 2019

For Acne "Took minocycline for 3 days. Started getting little itchy spots on my legs in the early afternoon of the 4th day. Then they spread on my body and behind my ears in the evening. Woke up at 2 a.m. with the itchy spots very swollen, full-on hives. On the bright side, I noticed my facial acne improve. But I would much rather have acne than these hives. I am miserable."

• Anonymous
• March 16, 2010

For Rosacea "I had a severe allergic reaction after using it for 2 weeks. I first noticed my lips swelling and then I broke out in big welts. I also had the worst choking feeling ever. The itching was unreal. I went back to the doctor, and she put me on prednisone yesterday. The itching has gotten worse. I am thinking that I may be having an allergic reaction to this also. I will be back at the doctor's office as soon as she opens."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2012

Minocycline for Acne "Solodyn is great, but unfortunately, the side effects aren't. This product has cleared up my skin, but I had to stop taking it due to its side effects. It made me really itchy, gave me yeast infections, and hives."

• sad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2020

For Acne "I was taking this drug for acne for about 2 weeks, then suddenly started breaking out in hives every day. Usually in the night or afternoon. The hives were on all parts of my body, mostly arms, legs, and back. They were itchy for around 2 hours, then they went away for the most part. Started taking Benadryl to ease the hives. Wouldn't recommend it because of the negative reaction. Also, no change in acne while on medication."

• MJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

For Acne "This medicine is horrible. I do not recommend this at all. My first week of taking this medication for my mild acne was cool, my skin even started to look a little different, but going into my second week, I noticed I was starting to itch everywhere and I was really, really tired and not myself. So I thought that it was normal or from something I ate or something. Then a day or two later, I started getting hives all over my body in different places every day, which is the worst itching ever. Benadryl wasn’t even working for me. My hands started to swell and my body became sore, and I woke up one morning and my eyes were swollen. I have had a bad allergic reaction to this medicine, and I wouldn’t put this medicine on my worst enemy! I have been off of this medicine for three days now, and I'm still going through this, the bad definitely outweighs the good with this medicine."

• KEV...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2018

For Acne "I've never been allergic to any medication till now. Took minocycline for about 2-3 weeks. Had shortness of breath, then a few days later I broke out in hives, which has never happened to me. Worst itch in my life! Hands swollen very badly. Really itchy hands and even feet. Wouldn't recommend this pill at all."

• KEV...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 29, 2018

For Acne "I've never been allergic to any medication till now. Took minocycline for about 2-3 weeks. Had shortness of breath, then a few days later I broke out in hives, which has never happened to me. Worst itch in my life! Hands swollen very badly. Really itchy hands and even feet. Wouldn't recommend this pill at all."

• sam...
• September 26, 2019

For Acne "Took one pill daily for about 3 weeks and suddenly experienced extreme itching on my head and legs region. After that night, the itching turned into hives all over my body, one day later, I could see hives on my face too. Had to go into the ER at 3 AM. They put me on Benadryl. I’m only 20, and it’s so horrible. The silver lining in all this is long-term use of this medicine affects the liver and can also cause lupus. For me, it’s only been 3 weeks to realize to stop this medicine. For acne, it started working right from the first week, I could see improvements. My 2 cents to anyone starting this medicine: it might seem that your acne is the worst you’ve dealt with in your whole life, and you might even force yourself to ignore all the potential side effects, but please try everything with 0 side effects first, and even then hold off taking anything that even has the slightest chance of ruining your life. I regret it, and I am so worried these hives might stay forever, it looks awful."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2010

Minocycline for Acne "Solodyn helped get rid of my cystic acne, but I had very bad side effects. It caused me to be itchy all over to the point where I had welts from scratching so much. And most of the time I was itchy in very uncomfortable areas. It was itchy on my scalp, my back, hands, feet, and stomach. Every place on my body itched. After stopping it for three days, I did not have an itch at all."

• Gan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

For Acne "My doctor prescribed me Minocycline 100 mg to treat acne, and after taking it for 2 weeks, I broke out in hives with inflammation and itchiness all over my body. I stopped taking the next pill immediately and called my doctor, who then prescribed me Prednisone 100 mg for 6 days. I took my 1st pill within 12 hours from when I first noticed the rash on my knuckles. I will never recommend this medication to anyone! The itchiness did not let me sleep for 2 nights, and symptoms could have been worse and serious if I didn’t take the right step immediately at the right time!"

• Al1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2013

For Acne "Cleared my skin fast, although I had to discontinue it after about a week or so, as it was making me feel very nauseous. I also got very itchy. However, within a few days, the acne was back with a vengeance! I started taking them again in desperation and found that when I took them earlier in the day (before my usual 8 o'clock mark), I no longer felt nauseous, and the itching isn't as bad, but it's a small price to pay for clearer skin!"

• pai...
• June 4, 2019

For Acne "After two weeks of taking this minocycline, I developed horrendously itchy hives all over my body. I was so high on Benadryl for a solid week because the itching was unbelievable. There are other ways to cure acne. Do not take this drug, I was previously not allergic to anything but this."

• pai...
• June 4, 2019

For Acne "After two weeks of taking this minocycline, I developed horrendously itchy hives all over my body. I was so high on Benadryl for a solid week because the itching was unbelievable. There are other ways to cure acne. Do not take this drug, I was previously not allergic to anything but this."

• Man...
• October 10, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed this medicine for mild acne. I was on it for a week and a half. After a few days on minocycline, I began to get side effects of being very itchy on my legs especially. The itching spread to my feet, arms, and back. After a week, it began to turn into hives, and I woke up with a swollen eye. I went to the ER, and they gave me an IV shot of a steroid and Benadryl. I was prescribed steroids and Zyrtec. I stopped the minocycline, and the itching has let up, but the hives are still randomly around my body. My eye got better, but after getting a shower, it swelled again, so it must be very sensitive to the water. It seems this medicine either works wonders or causes horrible side effects. I wish I would have read up more about it before taking it."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed minocycline for acne. After taking this for 10 days, I felt itchy on my knees and arms. Took a Benadryl. Didn’t know this medicine would cause issues. After 4 days, I started seeing hives all over my body and could not control the itching. So I had to go to the ER. Along with the medicine from the ER, my dermatologist recommended Allegra or Claritin. I took Allegra along with the medicine from the ER and the hives disappeared in 3 days. Stopped using Allegra. After a week, they came back."

• Nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed minocycline for acne. After taking this for 10 days, I felt itchy on my knees and arms. Took a Benadryl. Didn’t know this medicine would cause issues. After 4 days, I started seeing hives all over my body and could not control the itching. So I had to go to the ER. Along with the medicine from the ER, my dermatologist recommended Allegra or Claritin. I took Allegra along with the medicine from the ER and the hives disappeared in 3 days. Stopped using Allegra. After a week, they came back."

• Ibr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was advised minocycline 100 mg a day for a month for scalp folliculitis. In a week it showed improvement, and I was happy. But in the second week, I developed flu-like symptoms, and then one night, hive-like swelling spread all over my body, and I spent a night in the emergency room, where I was told to stop taking minocycline as it was very itchy, with a burning sensation and pain. I was given some shots of antihistamine. I was prescribed antihistamine medicine for a month now. This medicine is horrible as I am suffering from urticaria due to this medicine."

• She...
• May 15, 2017

Minocycline for Acne "I am on Solodyn for 5 months now, and my first 3 months were bad, and the 4th month got better, but I developed a minor itch on my leg, and I asked the doctor about it. I guess it was one of the drug's side effects. Also, feeling nausea or loopy is what I get sometimes, too! But my back is so much better now, and no acne or inflamed blackheads are slowly clearing up! But I worry about liver damage :("

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2017

For Rosacea "I have a history of mixed connective tissue disease and was recently prescribed minocycline for rosacea. After taking the med for 2 1/2 weeks, I awakened with intense itching of my head, face, and scattered rash on my body. I stopped taking the minocycline immediately and contacted my physician. It has been over 6 weeks, and I am still experiencing an intermittent rash on my stomach, thighs, back, and also had one episode of bumps on the back of my tongue. But the most aggravating is constant redness, itching, and burning of my face. My physician told me to just keep taking Claritin and Benadryl if needed. I'm not sure how long this will last. But no more minocycline for me."

• gia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2017

For Acne "I was hesitant to take this because of the mixed reviews, but gave it a try for my horrible acne, and within a day noticed it started working. I didn't have any side effects, and my face started to purge (giant pimples forming), and my skin was getting worse, so I knew it was pushing everything out of my face to start clearing my skin. A week later, I woke up extremely itchy on my neck, scalp, chest, back, shoulders, feet, hands, basically everywhere, and I had broken out in hives. I took a Benadryl. Then at midnight, it happened again but worse. My neck was swelling up, and the hives were the color of a tomato, and I was insanely itchy. If I didn't take a ton of Benadryl, I would've had to go to the ER. Happened today again. No longer taking them."

• Mea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2019

For Acne "Ok, so I started this antibiotic when I came back from a trip, and my skin was super bad. I had been struggling with it for almost 5 years, and nothing had worked. So I began taking it twice a day, and my skin stayed exactly the same. It even got worse by the third week, but I kept going. I noticed that my face was a lot drier than usual, and I already had dry skin, so it was flaking off. Ew. I kept going, though, because my doctor was saying, 'No, no, don’t even worry, it looks great.' Nobody was seeing a difference. Not only was my face dry, but now every time I took a shower, my legs and arms would itch uncontrollably for up to an hour. It was a nightmare, it made me cry. We lowered the dose to about 1 per day, and we finally saw results. It wasn’t much at all, though, and I had already been on it for three months with no relief, and that is not good for your body. Now I went off it, and after 5 days, my acne is coming back even worse. Would not recommend."

• Dub...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2021

For Acne "I’m 31, female with moderate acne. My dermatologist prescribed me minocycline 100 mg twice a day. Within a week, I saw positive results. My acne was practically cleared up, a pimple here and there. Three weeks into the prescription is when my entire body started breaking out into unbearable, itchy, burning hives. During the day, they were sparse, here and there. At night is when they became unbearable. I was losing sleep and waking up at whatever time to scratch an itch. I took Allegra every night and had no effect. I haven’t taken this medication in two days and am still seeing side effects. I am now going to have a steroid injection. Please be aware of the side effects before taking. I was not and have suffered with hives for a week before making the connection."