Oral antibiotics for acne - do they work?

[Beepbeepa]

I took some doxycycline for chest infection and my annoying adult acne cleared up and stayed gone for 3 to 4 weeks..did I just imagine this or is this a thing? Tempted to ask my GP. Nothing else works... i have srsly tried everything

I was on that one for acne when I was younger.

In my experience, I have pcos so loads of acne, the drs don’t mind treating acne.

It can do, definitely worth talking to the gp about. It worked on my acne as a teen but not on my daughter's.

They do work but the acne tends to return when you complete your course.

I was on long term antibiotics for acne rosacea. Acne cleared! Took a couple of years I think?

Yes they do work. NHS doctors tend to not be keen due to cost, antibiotic resistance and long term use.

I used to get a private prescription from a private GP who took the view it was my decision and any downsides were for me to weigh up against being acne free.

He prescribed on the basis of a relatively short course but with the ability to take them again as and when needed.

I continued this for maybe 5 or 6 years and don't need them now. I can't remember exactly which one was prescribed. It was expensive- the consultations were over £100 each time. On top of that the drugs had to be paid for. He also recommended blood tests ocassionally just to make sure there were no other problems. Those had to be paid for too. Worth every penny.

I was prescribed them for many years to manage my acne
They were fairly effective though not without side-effects
Had to come off them when I wanted to get pregnant

They worked for me years ago.

They are working for my son now

Antibiotics were the only thing that cleared my acne. Never came back but I was on a 6 month course.

I had antibiotics for years. They definitely helped a lot, but I’m less keen nowadays - it feels irresponsible given increasing rates of antibiotic resistance. My skin isn’t bad enough to justify it, I don’t think, but I wouldn’t grudge it someone who really needed it.

I've just been prescribed Lymecycline for my cycstic acne. I'll be on it for two months and if there's no significant improvement my GP will refer me to a dermatologist.

I was prescribed it years ago but to be honest can't remember if there was much improvement and obviously it's since returned with a vengeance.

The GP counted my spots and wrote 20-30 per affected area on my notes

I took lymecycline too before being referred to dermatology. The acne came back as soon as I was off it but my skin was just so horrendously oily there was a lot of food for any bacteria left to eat.

The roaccutane was a miracle drug.

Oral antibiotics didn’t work for me. The only thing that DID work (and had some degree of a lasting effect) was Dianette. I’m not sure if they prescribe it anymore but it is worth asking your doctor.

First few courses have worked for me, the last course didn't. Definitely ask about it though, it was the only other option discussed before accutane- which I don't really want.

I had a 6 month course to clear my cystic back acne.
Suffered with it for over 10 years and tried every possible over the counter treatment, diet changes and home remedies I could think of. Nothing worked. Eventually went to the Dr for treatment and it cleared up completely with the antibiotics and hasn’t returned - I do get the odd spot now and again but nothing in comparison to what I had before.
I initially hated the idea of using antibiotics for something so ‘trivial’ and I am aware of the whole antibiotic resistance issues we are facing at the moment. That’s why I probably left it as long as I did but it’s made a huge difference to me so I’m glad I took the course.

Lymecycline worked really well for dd the first time but a subsequent course did nothing
She’s had a break for a year and is now on Erythromycin, which has worked a bit but upsets her stomach so I’m not sure if she will continue

I was on Lymecycline for around 9 years, it worked well for me. It wasn't until I saw a stand in doctor for something else that he took me off, as you shouldn't be on them long term, ( didn't seem to bother my normal doctor) I was worried my acne would return, but no I have been acne free since, it's been around 7 years.

They only work for the length of time you're on them. Accutane was the only thing that worked for me, I'd highly recommend it

I have had accutane twice. Its much much better now but still miserable. And it was amazing what just 7 days did. I think I will ask for a trial

One of my derm nurses had taken it three times.

Dd is on lymecycline and it’s working for her.

I couldn't do accutane again. It did work but it wasn't that fun. Spots not bad enough now. But still bad enough for me to find it pretty confidence draining.

Given what we know the risks of antibiotics, the damage to your microbiome and even the risk of certain cancers later, why would you?

DS has been on Lymecycline for about 6 months now and it's cleared his skin up a lot.

Yes they worked for me,nurse trialled me on 3 month course intially,has completely cleared all of my acne,just not sure how long you can stay on it!

Calledyou can you give some more info and link? This sounds worrying. It is always a balance of risk though. I am not sure but perhaps you don't have bad acne. Its not very nice. I would take certain risks to be more confident, not to be kept awake by painful spots, not to look a mess in my professional photos, to not feel embaressed in daylight, to enjoy socialising etc there is even some evidence that it makes you less likely to be promoted etc