Erythromycin for acne?

[shentok]

Hello, I'm suffering with terrible hormonal acne and after a clear set of bloods, my doc has prescribed me Erythromycin. I'm curious to hear if you've had any positive/negative results from taking it? Thanks x

I’ve been on it. It helped although less so than some other antibiotics I’ve been on as I believe there’s quite a lot of resistance to erythromycin now as it’s been used for years for acne. However, it made me feel a bit sick at times although nothing unbearable.
I think lymecycline is more effective in my experience as there’s less resistance to it

I’m on lymecycline- been on it for three months and, whilst I still get spots, they’re no where near as bad and clear up more quickly. I’ve just got another 3 month’s worth. I asked the doctor if it was safe to stay on them, and she said it was fine and that some people were on them for over a year 😱. They didn’t work immediately- took about a month to start seeing a difference xx

Erythromycin worked for me but the tablets gave me terrible thrush. The topical version worked wonders with no side effects and took seconds to apply morning and night after cleansing and before my moisturiser.

It does help, but my gp who is also a dermatology specialist told me after I'd been on it for years that it also has a lovely side-effect of causing horrible, irreversible, black pigmentation stains on your face that no amount of layering will remove. I am no longer taking any 'cyclines for my skin. Have found that going back to a more "teenage" approach to skincare has helped, though. (Despite being an old fart of 46)

Oh my word @justilou1, I’ve not heard of this side effect! Did that happen to you? Perhaps I should quit while I’m ahead! Xx

Thank you so much for responding, it's so hard knowing what to do for the best. I really try to not let my skin bother me, but it's slowly getting me down. Wouldn't it be magic if we could instantly know why our skin is reacting the way it does! All this trial and error slog is so long winded x

It’s so difficult isn’t it shentok it gets me down so much I just want to feel “normal” and comfortable in my own skin with my own face. Keep going though I’ve had ups and downs over the years the medications do work but like you say it’s trial and error for different people

My GP said to only use it for flare ups, then stop. Never use it all the time. (Also we know what it does to our intestinal flora and lady gardens....)

I have given you bad advice!!! I wasn’t on erythromycin, but minocycline! Please forgive me!!! Don’t panic! Erithromycin causes sun sensitivity, but not the ugly black hyperpigmentation!!!

It didn’t happen to me, thank goodness! My GP showed me photos. It looks like black mould or constellations of blackheads. Gruesome. I am far too vain to have coped with that!!! My previous GP was a dick for leaving me on the medication for so long without knowing this (or caring!)