Lymecycline for teen acne

[bama77]

My DC is 13 and suffers of moderate/severe acne on their forehead. We went to the dermatologist already a couple of times and eventually we have been prescribed Lymecycline. I am a bit worried about taking antibiotic for a long period if time (min 3 months) given there is no certainty it is going to work.

Did any of your teens try Lymecycline, and if it worked did the acne came back once you stopped the treatment.

Thanks to anyone who might share their experience. It is such an awful condition for our DC, which is really affecting their mental health.

[ThePure]

My DD is on it. She's a bit older (16). She also uses a topical retinoid gel.
I don't think it's had any negative effect on her. A bit of nausea at the start maybe but might be just she dislikes swallowing capsules
In 3 months it has improved her skin from very bad such that people would comment which really upset her to tolerable but not in any way perfectly clear.
I think she's happy she took it

The only thing that is really effective IMHO is Roaccutane which I took as a teenager and you do have to worry about the side effects of that. Similarly the ocp which helps some.
I think lymecycline is probably the easiest option with the least side effects. Also the NICE guidance is that you have to try it before you can have Roaccutane

[GoldenTobes]

My daughter took these at about the same age (she is 19 now). Took them for quite a few months (sorry can't remember exactly how long for). Unfortunately I think we had some initial success but it didn't last, but don't remember her suffering with any side effects. For her it was a step on the path towards roaccutane (isotretinoin), which did clear her acne up. I agree how depressing it can be, I had acne as a teenager which didn't go away and lasted into my twenties and left me with some scarring. I didn't want the same for my daughter so took her to the doctors to help with hers. The only concern I think I had at the time was a side effect that could stain developing teeth. I can't remember whether she had all her adult teeth but I did read up on this a bit and spoke to our dentist. But obviously our mind was put to rest as she did take them.

[Rollergirl11]

DD took when she was 14/15 for around 4 months. No negative side effects and it did clear her skin up. It didn’t come back when she came off it. I think it can make the skin more sensitive to the sun so you need to make sure you up your sun protection if taking in the summer months. DD is glad she took it.

[PennyPincher84]

My daughter took it for several months and didn’t have any effect. She didn’t suffer any side effects though so that was a positive.
we ended up paying for roaccutane with a private dermatologist as her mental health/self esteem was being harmed. The roaccutane worked in a matter of months and thankfully she still has perfect skin now.

[bama77]

Thank you everyone for sharing your DC experience. Much appreciated!

[Imneverright]

My DD did 2 courses, 3 months each time. Took the full 3 months to work but then acne came straight back after the course.
She ended up 8 months on roaccutane which worked a treat and she’s had perfect skin for several years now. No side effects other than dry skin and mouth. She did have a full face of acne, not just on her forehead.

[Jedstre]

@bama77 my son took lymecycline age 14 and it didn’t help. The Gp then switched it to doxycycline which she thinks is more effective. It helped initially but the acne came back after the course finished (had 6 months). Started on a second course and now waiting for dermatology appointment. It’s a long road unfortunately.

[EverlastingStar]

DD took it and it worked brilliantly for her acne which disappeared after 3 months and visibly started going after 3 weeks in

Stop worrying about the fact it's an antibiotic and be glad your GP had the common sense to prescribe something useful that is known to work effectively

If it doesn't work she'll have to try Roaccutane and FFS don't find a negative reason but to give her that either

It's her skin, her MH so let her be prescribed medication that is known to work effectively for the last 30-40 years

[Cheshiresun]

Yes, one of mine was on that (and tried other antibiotics too). Whilst it did clear the skin, after a couple of months the acne did return, so they seem to only work in the short term.

[EverlastingStar]

DD still takes the Lymecycline but she's also on the pill and luckily for her she's old enough to bypass any stupid preconceived ideas of mine and can get either prescribed herself so she doesn't have to suffer bad skin unnecessarily

[Vettrianofan]

DS is on this drug. Has been on it for one year approximately. He is going to be 17 soon. He has a severe form of acne and it has cleared up amazingly well, alongside the Treclin ointment prescribed by dermatology. So far so good.

Good luck for your DD if she decides to go down this route.

[Vettrianofan]

DS has severe acne on face, neck, chest and his back btw....

[AnnaMagnani]

DH had it back in the 90s. Worked brilliantly for him however his brother had it worse and had Roaccutane which was also a good experience.