Has anyone been on antibiotics for acne?

[yasibee]

Yes, I've had life-long acne and have been on different antibiotics. They work, with little to no side effects. But, every once in a while, the type prescribed is not a good fit and won't reduce the acne, so u may have to try a different type.

[scout8]

It has been a long time, but I have used them a few times for acne. They always worked great for me.

[littlemissladybug]

I've been on Doxcycycline-hyclate for a year now. Every time I try to go off I end up breaking out again. I'm also using Retin-A.

[veruca5839]

I have been put on them in the past. They always helped, but as soon as I stopped taking them I'd start breaking out again.

[treedimensional]

My experience wasn't positive. I got diarrhea and yeast infections, and poor control of acne. I can't imagine taking antibiotics long term for acne. I actually thought this practice ended in the early 1980s because of the increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria, but obviously I'm wrong because all you women are younger than me.

[yasibee]

Also, I wanted to point out that from what my old dermatologist told me (and from experience), most antibiotics take about about a month to really show results.

[ssmjlm]

Jul 8, 2012 7:31:56 GMT -5 littlemissladybug said:

I've been on Doxcycycline-hyclate for a year now. Every time I try to go off I end up breaking out again. I'm also using Retin-A.

I was on the same with great results.

We're TTC now, so I'm off everything, they aren't TTC or BF safe.

[house]

I have been on tetracycline and I can't honestly say it doesn't work. But it didn't work for me because I lived in Bangladesh then and I used nothing but soap to wash my face while on it. I am pretty sure it would have worked with proper skin care routine if anybody cared to teach me what that was.

[amandasw]

I tried antibiotics and it made it worse for me - plus I tend to also get yeast infections so it wasn't a great experience. I ended up going on spironolactone instead and it's been great! Just another option in case the abx don't work out for you.

[amandasw]

Jul 8, 2012 10:00:56 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Jul 8, 2012 9:54:50 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

I tried antibiotics and it made it worse for me - plus I tend to also get yeast infections so it wasn't a great experience. I ended up going on spironolactone instead and it's been great! Just another option in case the abx don't work out for you.

what kind of drug is that?

My Dr. told me it was really well tolerated in women with pretty much no side effects and is effective at treating hormonal acne. Based on my online searching, it's an anti-androgen (so it's affecting the hormones) and sort of stops cells from seeing hormonal fluctuations. Anyway, might be worth asking about!

[Deleted]

I have also taken minocycline and spironolactone. My derm will only prescribe spironolactone to patients who are using a contraceptive because it will have negative effects on a male fetus, however, so you may not be able to get an Rx for that if you're not taking BCP anymore (I think I remember you saying you'd stopped).

Spironolactone is an anti-androgen, which either keeps the body from producing as much testosterone or blocks reabsorption of it - I can't remember which. I wouldn't say it has pretty much no side effects though, I had to get my blood tested monthly for elevated potassium levels the entire time I was on it which was a pain in the ass and the reason why I quit taking it.

[ILikeSloths]

My experience was terrible. I took a form of minocycline and it gave me temporary pseudo-tumor cerebri (meaning "false brain tumor") so the side effects could've been life threatening or permanently damaging to my body. Luckily after about 3+ months of horrendous pain, double vision, many hospital visits and tests we finally discovered it was the pill that was causing all of it.

I'm not trying to scare you and obviously I'm in the minority, but the posts above about no side effects aren't always true. It's a drug and with that comes risks. My neurologist in my very small hometown said he sees at least 5 people a year due to serious issues from acne meds. I agree with the PP Treedimensional that the idea of taking something long-term isn't appealing. It's basically a maintenance medicine.

ETA: I also saw that you'll only be on it 2 months. I would assume that your acne would just return after quitting the pill, but I'm not sure.

[ILikeSloths]

Jul 8, 2012 16:03:44 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Jul 8, 2012 13:57:02 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

My experience was terrible. I took a form of minocycline and it gave me temporary pseudo-tumor cerebri (meaning "false brain tumor") so the side effects could've been life threatening or permanently damaging to my body. Luckily after about 3+ months of horrendous pain, double vision, many hospital visits and tests we finally discovered it was the pill that was causing all of it.

I'm not trying to scare you and obviously I'm in the minority, but the posts above about no side effects aren't always true. It's a drug and with that comes risks. My neurologist in my very small hometown said he sees at least 5 people a year due to serious issues from acne meds. I agree with the PP Treedimensional that the idea of taking something long-term isn't appealing. It's basically a maintenance medicine.

ETA: I also saw that you'll only be on it 2 months. I would assume that your acne would just return after quitting the pill, but I'm not sure.

I have taken the drug before and I was fine---and yes, it might return, but I guess I just have to take that risk. My skin is not horrendous, but my bacne really bothers me especially in the summer.

I had acne for a while and was very self-conscious so I understand. When you asked for experiences I just wanted to share mine because it was very scary and many people don't know such side effects can even happen, even if it's rare. I had also taken acne meds before in my teens and was fine. Then this happened in college.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!

[Deleted]

I took tetracycline as a teenager and it damaged my teeth. Are there other options than antibiotics?

[highlarious]

I suffer(ed) from cystic acne too and tried several topical medications over the past few years. When those proved only to be moderately effective, my dermatologist suggested antibiotics. I was reluctant to go this route, so spironolactone was offered as an alternative. I've been on it for three years and it's been a HUGE relief for me. It changed everything for the better.

Like someone else mentioned, it's an anti-androgen that blocks excess androgen (the male hormone implicated in hormonal breakouts). I now only get a couple of mild pimples around the time of my period. Also my skin and hair is less greasy overall (I suffered from excess oiliness in addition to break outs).

It took a few months of playing around with the dose, but I finally found the right amount for me and am so pleased with the results. My only side effect is slight lightheadedness when I stand up from lying down (happens rarely). Apparently spironolactone has been used for decades with a high safety profile.

You might want to inquire if this drug could be suitable for you. I hope you find something that works. Adult acne, especially cystic acne, is no fun. Good luck!

[thedutchgirl]

I tried antibiotics for acne mainly on my back as well, and a year and a half later I'm still dealing with digestive issues that I think the antibiotic caused. And it didn't really help the acne.

I'm also now on spironolactone, and I love it. My derm told me that the skin on the back is generally too thick for topicals to have any effect. In addition, back acne is generally hormonal, like acne on the chin, which is why spiro works so well. It is a diuretic and as others have said, it has anti androgen properties. It can cause an increase in need to pee at first but that goes away. It also can cause lightheadedness when you stand. I still get that. And you need to get blood work done once a year to check liver function. It has worked really well for me when antibiotics didn't.

[Deleted]

I had bacne for a brief period when I was younger and found that it was mainly caused by a certain type of shampoo/condiitoner I was using...Pantene. You might try changing up your hair products, especially if you typically wear your hair long and loose, and see if that will help.

I am also really struggling with acne after getting off of 12 years of bc. I am trying to do everything under the sun to control my skin without oral medicine because I know that I won't be able to take them when ttc anyways. I hope that my hormones and skin can self-regulate soon.

[hz80408]

Agh, I feel you on the bacne because mine is really flared up recently and it's SO embarrassing!

My derm tried to convince me to go on spiro. but because it elevates your potassium levels so much, we're discussed that it's not the right option for me because of how much running I do....so in the meantime I'm looking for some help/a "cure". I miss Clinique's acne body spray. This is the only thing I've used in the past that really made a difference. Unfortunately, it's no longer manufacturered and I can't find it at cosmetic outlets either.

www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Clinique-Acne-Solutions-Body-Spray-Acne/prod45070027/

I need to sit down with my old bottle and compare it's active ingredients to what's out there now. I know Neutrogena and MURAD have body sprays, but I'm not sure how similar they are.

[ILikeSloths]

Jul 8, 2012 21:23:55 GMT -5 @theycalledherkate said:

Jul 8, 2012 16:13:52 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

I had acne for a while and was very self-conscious so I understand. When you asked for experiences I just wanted to share mine because it was very scary and many people don't know such side effects can even happen, even if it's rare. I had also taken acne meds before in my teens and was fine. Then this happened in college.

Anyway, good luck and I hope you find something that works for you!

I appreciate that I do not want to be on them longterm---how long were you on them for? I am glad you told me this because now I can look for side effects that I otherwise may have brushed off

In my teens I was on an antibiotic for less than a year (it gave me headaches so I stopped taking it). My acne at that time must have been hormonal though because once I got on BCPs my skin cleared up. In college the acne came back and I was on put on another antibiotic for 6 months before I had to quit. I was actually fine the first few months, then very sick for the last few when I had the side effects. After I stopped the med my acne came back mainly on the chin again. My back and shoulders used to break out sometimes too.

I'm on a different BCP now so I'm not sure if it's helping to control it, but I rarely get cystic acne any more unless I catch a trace of one of my food allergens - which also took me forever to find out what was causing it. Gah... The acne battle sucks! lol

[alleinesein]

Took Tetracycline and Doxycycline when I was in my teens; neither of them worked for me.

Am currently on Doxycycline BUT its not for acne treatment; its being used as an anti-malarial for India (Mumbai area). Been on it for about 2 weeks now and have not noticed any improvment in my skin but it might be because the air quality and pollution over here are bad and my skin is constantly exposed to crap.

Side effects: do not take with dairy and definitely eat something when you take it. I take mine at night and sleep through most of the nausea side effects.

[msamyfarrahfowler]

I've been on Doxycycline since January. Instead of taking it 2x/day, I take 1 pill at night before I go to sleep. Otherwise, I get extremely nauseous.

The combo of antibiotics and tretinoin cream have worked miracles for my face acne.

[frlcb]

Jul 8, 2012 10:30:37 GMT -5 @amydrinkie said:

I have also taken minocycline and spironolactone. My derm will only prescribe spironolactone to patients who are using a contraceptive because it will have negative effects on a male fetus, however, so you may not be able to get an Rx for that if you're not taking BCP anymore (I think I remember you saying you'd stopped).

Spironolactone is an anti-androgen, which either keeps the body from producing as much testosterone or blocks reabsorption of it - I can't remember which. I wouldn't say it has pretty much no side effects though, I had to get my blood tested monthly for elevated potassium levels the entire time I was on it which was a pain in the ass and the reason why I quit taking it.

I just started taking spironolactone and don't have to get my blood tested very month.

[thedutchgirl]

I only have to do yearly blood tests with spiro after a first test at three months.

[Deleted]

Jul 9, 2012 19:04:45 GMT -5 frlcb said:

I just started taking spironolactone and don't have to get my blood tested very month.

Jul 9, 2012 21:54:08 GMT -5 thedutchgirl said:

I only have to do yearly blood tests with spiro after a first test at three months.

WELL. Now I'm REALLY irritated, b/c I'd still be taking it if not for that. Mine would only dole out the Rx a month at a time until she got the test results back which never showed anything out of the ordinary.

[highlarious]

It must be very physician-specific and/or patient-specific. I also only do an annual blood test while taking spiro. My doctor doesn't seem too fussed about it.

[nessia]

I did anti-biotics and topicals for years and nothing every worked. Finally did accutane over ten years ago and my acne was gone. I know there are a lot of side effects but luckily I only dealt with dryness. Only in the last couple years have I gotten occasional hormonal acne but it's not bad and easily controlled. Accutane was a life saver for someone who was so embarrassed by acne.

[amandasw]

Jul 8, 2012 10:30:37 GMT -5 @amydrinkie said:

I wouldn't say it has pretty much no side effects though, I had to get my blood tested monthly for elevated potassium levels the entire time I was on it which was a pain in the ass and the reason why I quit taking it.

that's really weird...

and I am on BCP so that's probably why my Dr gave it to me (and I react badly to Abx). If you aren't on BCP then maybe this won't work for you.

ETA: I had one blood test after 3 months, it came back fine and that was it. Maybe yours weren't normal?

[frlcb]

Jul 10, 2012 10:22:17 GMT -5 highlarious said:

It must be very physician-specific and/or patient-specific. I also only do an annual blood test while taking spiro. My doctor doesn't seem too fussed about it.

I don't even know if I have to do that. I was given a years worth of prescriptions so maybe when I go back at a year but I don't know.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2012 12:24:01 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

Jul 8, 2012 10:30:37 GMT -5 @amydrinkie said:

I wouldn't say it has pretty much no side effects though, I had to get my blood tested monthly for elevated potassium levels the entire time I was on it which was a pain in the ass and the reason why I quit taking it.

that's really weird...

and I am on BCP so that's probably why my Dr gave it to me (and I react badly to Abx). If you aren't on BCP then maybe this won't work for you.

ETA: I had one blood test after 3 months, it came back fine and that was it. Maybe yours weren't normal?

I would have thought if the results weren't normal, they would have called me to discuss instead of calling in a refill to the pharmacy.

I think their office is in cahoots w/ the lab in their building or something.

[summerkutie]

I've recently been put on Doxycycline and let me warn you that the label says to take it an hour before dinner or 2 hours after but DON'T! I did it once and felt sooooo ill. When I had my follow up appointment with the derm, she said that they say that because that's how it would be most effective, but it upsets almost everyone's stomachs so they said it's ok to take it with dinner.