Minocycline and Acne: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

Minocycline for Acne "At 24, after struggling with hormonal chin acne (that flared before my period) and occasional breakouts in my T-zone, my derm prescribed 65 mg Solodyn, and Retin A in conjunction with a cleansing routine 2x a day using Cerave followed by Simple Smoothing Toner. At first, I did not see much improvement. Then, at the one-month mark, all hell broke loose; I broke out like crazy for 2-3 weeks, huge zits in areas of my face that were not previously a problem. I was embarrassed and ready to call it quits, but after reading about it getting worse before it got better, I ordered my refill and decided to give it time. Suddenly, 1.5ish months in, success! No new breakouts (fingers crossed), and I even just started my cycle. Patience is the key with Solodyn."

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2017

Minocycline for Acne "At 24, after struggling with hormonal chin acne (that flared before my period) and occasional breakouts in my T-zone, my derm prescribed 65 mg Solodyn, and Retin A in conjunction with a cleansing routine 2x a day using Cerave followed by Simple Smoothing Toner. At first, I did not see much improvement. Then, at the one-month mark, all hell broke loose; I broke out like crazy for 2-3 weeks, huge zits in areas of my face that were not previously a problem. I was embarrassed and ready to call it quits, but after reading about it getting worse before it got better, I ordered my refill and decided to give it time. Suddenly, 1.5ish months in, success! No new breakouts (fingers crossed), and I even just started my cycle. Patience is the key with Solodyn."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2018

For Acne "I was prescribed topical clindamycin twice a day and apply retinoid just at night a year ago. That routine has cleared my mild acne about 90%. I was happy, but I recently got some little breakouts around my jaw, and it annoyed me. So I went to my derm and was like, “Okay, I want to be totally acne-free. What can I do?” and prescribed 1 x day 100 mg minocycline pills. After 1.5 weeks, I had 3 large cysts coming in, and one was in a place I never breakout. I hadn’t had a cyst in like 6 months. I was horrified, so I began doing research. Needless to say, the reviews are all over the place, and some are quite scary. I stopped taking the drug on a Monday, and my face recovered by Friday. I totally realize 2 weeks is not the proper time to see full results from an antibiotic, but I was not about to wait it out. This drug is very unpredictable, it could totally clear you up, or you could end up in the hospital. I just feel like I need to prevent this skin nightmare from occurring to anyone else."

• rnt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2016

Minocycline for Acne "I took Solodyn a few years ago. I was on it for about 2-3 years. Like another poster on here said, I didn't have horrible acne like some cases, but it made me uncomfortable, especially as an adult. It did clear my acne (hence the rating of 3 instead of 0). But when I tried to come off of it, OMG! It became one of those cases. I broke out like I could never imagine. I wouldn't look people in the eye, wouldn't let my husband ever see me without makeup, my self-esteem went in the tank. I had to go on Accutane to get off of Solodyn. I did it during the summer (I am a school nurse with summers off). It was the only time I could go off Solodyn for the 2 weeks I had to, to go on Accutane."

• Oki...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2015

For Acne "I kind of like this medication, I'm 15, female, have mild acne, I don't have a lot, but it's in many areas: chest, back, face. It's summer and it's not that bad, but it's noticeable. I have been taking this for almost a month and no results at all, I just gained acne on my shoulders. I am a dancer, so I don't know if that affects it. Oh well, it has somewhat helped my face, but I don't know :("

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2016

For Acne "I've been taking minocycline for well over a month now. It does not work instantly like a lot of people say and does take time. I am just now starting to see improvement. As for side effects, I don't believe I experienced an initial breakout, and I never experienced dizziness or nausea. I am still getting breakouts quite frequently, but they are not as bad or widespread as before. I've also noticed that the redness in my cheeks, which had been a problem for a long time, has nearly disappeared."

• ste...
• October 13, 2017

For Acne "After taking this medicine for a few months, I still get the occasional acne, and it lowered my endurance. Five minutes into the gym, I was already short of breath, I could barely do any reps. Definitely hard to work out while taking this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 21, 2016

For Acne "Don't get this unless you have very mild acne. I have moderate. I've struggled with acne for about a year now. I used to be on sulfameth acne pills, which did wonders, but thought that I could stop taking them when I was cleared up. I broke out again, then got on this horrible medication and have continued to break out for the past three weeks. Going back to sulfameth."

• apl...
• August 4, 2016

For Acne "I took minocycline 100 mg for over 6 months, then my doctor put me down to 50 mg every other day. When I was on 100 mg once a day, it was great, my skin was so nice, clear, and smooth. Now, the 50 mg every other day is not that great. I also use a topical cream, Benzycline or something like that. I started to break out again, my skin is not smooth. I know stress is a huge factor in breaking out, but I don't know what to do. I am going back to my doctor to see what he suggests. I am 32 years old, and I want to be off this medication. I want to start trying to have kids soon, so I don't want to be on this. I just want my zits gone for good. I am starting to get a few on my cheeks and around the chin area. So frustrating and depressing. Anyone have any suggestions?"

• i...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2016

For Acne "I've taken minocycline here and there in the past year, and I usually would take it for a few days, and it would clear my skin up for a little bit, but a few days later, it would get bad again, and I would repeat this process over and over. But now, I've been taking it twice a day for the past 3 months, and my skin has gotten worse. I haven't had clear skin in 3 months. I always have a pimple, and recently, while taking this medication, somehow I got 5 cystic pimples within a day. Also, I wash my face twice a day and drink a lot of water, so that isn't the problem. Don't take this medication, it sucks."

• ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2018

For Acne "I started using minocycline after having severe acne on my forehead for 5 months. About 2 weeks passed by, and I had no pimples anymore! I was thrilled but unhappy to now be able to see all the scars. After about 2 months, I started to get a few pimples here and there, but I am still in my late teens, so I just considered it to be hormones. After 4 months on it, my skin was still clear, and I was excited because I was going on a vacation overseas to a tropical country. I usually live in a pretty dry climate, by the way. After 3 days of being here, I started noticing the pimples starting to form! I think it's because of how hot it is here. It has now been a month, and I'm still in the tropical country with my acne all back. :( I am wondering if it will clear up once I get home."

• Tab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

For Acne "I've been on this drug once before, and it really did help my skin. I only had little red dots from scarring, but my skin was smooth, so my doctor told me to have a break from it for 3 months. But when I stopped, I started breaking out again, and even worse than before. So then, about 6 months later, I'm back on the drug. I've been on it for about a month now, and it hasn't done anything to my skin, might as well not be taking it at all."

• her...
• February 12, 2018

For Acne "So I used it for back acne, and after a month, it seemed to be slowly improving. Then, suddenly, I got tons of acne on my face (which I have never had before), but my doctor says that I need to continue taking it, otherwise, it'll just be worse. I regret it so much. Don't take this, please try and see a dermatologist first and assess better options."

• Sho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2020

For Acne "After stopping the medication, my face was covered in inflamed acne, and it got worse than when I first started the medication."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 16, 2020

For Acne "Made my acne immediately multiply after 3 days of use. I’m covered in horrific red dots. I wish I never took this."

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2012

Minocycline for Acne "I began seeing positive results from Solodyn after just a few weeks. I get an occasional zit, but nothing like what I had just a few short months ago. Would definitely recommend!"