Minocycline and Nausea: What Users Say

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2020

For Acne "Minocycline made me super sick. I thought I had COVID but got two negative tests. I stopped taking it and started to feel better in about a day. Made me tired, nauseous, chest pain, headache, weird around the tonsils. Also didn't help with the acne the way other antibiotics have."

• Kch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2015

For Acne "I am a 40-year-old female. I have had acne since I was 14. I've been to a dermatologist and have tried everything from Proactiv to prescription pills, creams, cleansers, steroids, and even several different antibiotics. Nothing ever worked, so I gave up. My health insurance changed at the beginning of the year (2015), so I found a new PCP. She asked me if I'd tried any treatments for my acne. I said everything! First, she put me on doxycycline, which seemed to work but made me nauseous. Then she switched the medicine to minocycline. I noticed a difference the first week! I've been on it for 2 months now, breakouts are healed! I have dark spots where pimples were and put cream on those areas to lighten them. So happy! No more covering up with makeup."

• Ste...
• July 26, 2015

Minocycline for Acne "I started taking this less than a week ago, but will be stopping it because of the side effects. It has helped my acne, but the side effects don't make it worth it. I constantly feel nauseous, have headaches, feel feverish, and am unusually exhausted."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 10, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "RA diagnosed a year, and I experienced pain in my fingers (some have hard knots), toes, shoulder, hip, & right side of abdomen. My rheumatologist started me out on Celebrex first & then methotrexate. Had to stop both. So what happened next was I stumbled upon Minocin as a relief from RA. I had what I thought to be a small whitehead on my eyelid that was hard & wouldn’t go away. I went to the dermatologist & was prescribed the Minocin 100 mg one every 12 hours. It healed. Around 2 weeks, I noticed, “I’m not hurting.” A few more days & still feeling good. Finally, I decided that the only change I had made was taking the Minocin. No nausea and no widespread pain. I do have pain in my fingers, but it is manageable. I googled it and read there has been success with tetracyclines, but a relatively small amount of sufferers. I must be one and couldn’t be happier. Meanwhile, I’m enjoying all the “todays.”"

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2013

For Acne "I'm 14 and a freshman in high school. My confidence is very low because of my acne, but I have been taking this medication for 2 weeks, and I have noticed a big difference! My confidence is a tad bit higher, even though I still have acne. But on the bad side, I have been having bad migraines and nausea. But I can cope with it because it has helped my acne so well!"

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2011

For Acne "This med is SUPER effective for my cystic acne/acne in general. Acne runs in my family, if I'm not on minocycline, I break out so bad that I don't want to leave my house (self-conscious, can't help it, ha). When I'm on it, I have a few pimples at a time, but otherwise, my skin looks clear. I DO, however, experience light-headedness, some ringing in my ears, and a general feeling of nausea, like I have a mild case of the flu. But I think the benefit outweighs the side effects. I recommend this medicine."

• Bri...
• April 3, 2015

Minocycline for Acne "It took away my acne in a few days, but it made me nauseous when I took it on an empty stomach. My insurance covered it partially, but I didn't want to take it too long and become resistant to antibiotics."

• Kat...
• November 18, 2014

For Acne "I've had acne since I was twelve, and in 8th grade, I developed moderate cystic acne, which progressively got worse, so my doctor put me on minocycline, and it totally cleared up my skin! I stopped getting cysts, and I occasionally got one or two small whiteheads around the time of my period. I experienced minimal side effects, mostly nausea, but it went away when I switched to taking the medication before bed. I've been off minocycline for about 6 months, and since then, I've been on birth control. I noticed that the new meds break me out in cysts a lot more, so I've started back on minocycline for the second time, and my face is already clearer despite being on it for only a week! I love this stuff!"

• gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 17, 2013

For Acne "I'm not perfect with my eating and exercising habits, and alas, along with teenage hormones came acne. They're not horrific, but bad enough to be irritating and painful the week before menstruation. I used to take doxycycline, but even from the beginning, it gave me really bad nausea and headaches. I haven't noticed anything too bad with sun exposure on the minocycline, but have had more drowsiness and am currently experiencing headaches and dizziness. It cleared up everything along with my use of a Clarisonic and a benzyl-based topical cream. Definitely try it if other tetracyclines didn't work out for you. This one, despite the side effects, is doing the trick."

• Loa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2019

For Acne "DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. My doctor put me on it for acne, and for the first two days, it wasn’t bad. Then I woke up with an allergic reaction all over my face that put me in the hospital. I was having horrible diarrhea and nausea and was even dizzy to the point where I couldn’t stand. This went on for three days straight and continued for three more after I stopped the medication. My dermatologist didn’t warn me how bad these side effects were and made me feel crazy when I told him about them. He even suggested taking it again to try to see if I would get 'used to it.' I don’t recommend this medication to anyone, it’s dangerous and scary."

• ml6...
• February 13, 2016

For Acne "I started taking antibiotics for my acne because of a benzoyl peroxide allergy and severe facial sensitivity that made topicals almost impossible. Started with 6 months on doxycycline, which worked fantastic but made me terribly nauseous no matter what I did. Two months after, my acne came back twice as bad, so I started minocycline. No side effects, and it worked quickly and effectively! After finishing a six-month course, my skin did get worse but then evened out, and I'm now happy with how it looks. It's not a permanent fix or even a fix for everyone, and you've got to stay consistent with topicals when you go off of it, but you'll start to see the effects two weeks in, and by a month, your skin will look amazing!"

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2019

For Periodontitis "This drug is dangerous and has too many terrible side effects for too many people. I was prescribed Minocycline 50 mg 1x a day by my dentist to treat a minor infection. After the 2nd week of taking it once per day, I developed a throbbing headache in the area around my forehead and eyes, neck pain, all over body aches, nausea, loss of appetite (flu-like symptoms), as well as depression. Note: I am a healthy, happy 60-year-old who rarely experiences even mild headaches or body aches. The pain I felt was debilitating, and I could barely function or sleep for over a week. I did not make the connection with the Minocycline. My dentist advised me to stop taking the medication immediately. Within 2 days of stopping, the pains subsided, and I feel like a new person. Reading now about some of the common dangerous outcomes with this drug (especially brain swelling and blindness), I'm shocked it's still on the market. So many other alternatives. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG."

• Jen...
• November 21, 2016

Minocycline for Acne "I am 25 years old, and I've been taking Solodyn for four days now. I usually wake up with a few new pimples on my face but have not seen any of that since on this pill. I'm extremely happy since I've been suffering from breakouts since the age of fourteen. A side effect would be nausea, but at this point in my life, anything is worth having clear skin and not being self-conscious. Another thing to add is that I have also been using Onexton, which is a daily face gel."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2021

For Acne "Been on it for over a week… doctor told me it will take 2 months to see the effects. So far, the only effects I’ve seen are anxiety/panic attacks, nausea, headaches, and weight gain. Seriously, I was good from having this level of anxiety for about 7 months or so, and now it just came back as soon as I started taking this medication. I don’t know if I want to keep taking this medication. I rather deal with this acne than feel like doodoo most of the day. Ask your doctor about side effects before getting. I have a feeling this medication will only work for the time I take it, and they will give me more rubbish pills when I’m done taking these. One star for now."

• Dan...
• January 9, 2016

For Acne "This medication changed my life! I'm 22 and had acne for about 4 years. I had tried everything from OTC to home remedies to topical gels from my general doctor, but nothing worked. I finally went to the derm, and he prescribed 100 mg twice a day. That was too much for my body, and I got severe nausea, headaches, and anxiety. I opted to only take one 100 mg pill every night, and within three weeks, I saw drastic changes! Now, 3 months in, I have no live breakouts, just a couple of scars!"

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For Acne "I was put on minocycline August 29th of 2019. I had to take it twice a day with food and a full glass of water. At first, nothing unusual was happening with me, and my acne was still the same. After the third day of taking it, I began to feel somewhat distant from myself. I couldn’t focus on anything. During school, my friends would try to talk to me, but I never had a normal human reaction. I felt so out of it all the time. I would take minocycline at night, and I would never be able to sleep, it would make me feel nauseous. I watched videos on other people's experiences with it, and some are good and some are bad. You can definitely try it, but I suggest being super careful. I took it for a little less than a week, and I am not going back on it. Yet again, everyone is different."

• Al1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2013

For Acne "Cleared my skin fast, although I had to discontinue it after about a week or so, as it was making me feel very nauseous. I also got very itchy. However, within a few days, the acne was back with a vengeance! I started taking them again in desperation and found that when I took them earlier in the day (before my usual 8 o'clock mark), I no longer felt nauseous, and the itching isn't as bad, but it's a small price to pay for clearer skin!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2016

For Acne "I went to the dermatologist because of some minor adult acne on my chin and was prescribed minocycline 100 mg once a day. Well, come November 1, it will be 1 month in, and the very couple of acne I had on my chin has tripled, plus I now have it on my cheeks, which I never had a problem with before. Plus, I have had some side effects as well, including dizziness, nausea, and yeast infection. It was prescribed to me for 3 months. I will stick with it for another 2 months and see what happens. As of right now, I am disappointed, but am hoping to see positive results in the next 2 months."

• pcl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2019

For Ocular Rosacea "Only took this medication for four days before I had to stop. Adverse side effects included headache (which the dermatologist mentioned might happen), but then I also started to get dizziness, confusion, heart racing, and nausea. The symptoms of ocular rosacea would never be worth these side effects."

• ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2021

For Acne "I had very bad bumps on my forehead for about 3 years and acne on my chin, and in almost a week on minocycline, my skin has never been so clear. I have experienced some side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and headaches, but I would rather deal with them than experience what my skin was before."

• TK2...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 25, 2013

For Acne "Started taking this for acne about three years ago and have been very happy. Noticed some stomach issues for about the first month, then only rarely (usually if I forget to take a dose, I get a little twinge and upset when I start again). Note: The nausea/runs thing. My GP recommended taking it before I start my preparations for bed."

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2013

For Acne "I'm 18. I've had acne for 7 years now. I started taking minocycline in 2011, and it gave me horrible nausea. I discovered that if you go on a gluten-free diet, the stomach problems go away as well as the acne! I stopped taking it after about 6 months, and my skin stayed clear up until a few months ago. I'm starting it again now to see how things work. It's a miracle pill, though I swear it made my skin literally perfect."

• She...
• May 15, 2017

Minocycline for Acne "I am on Solodyn for 5 months now, and my first 3 months were bad, and the 4th month got better, but I developed a minor itch on my leg, and I asked the doctor about it. I guess it was one of the drug's side effects. Also, feeling nausea or loopy is what I get sometimes, too! But my back is so much better now, and no acne or inflamed blackheads are slowly clearing up! But I worry about liver damage :("

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2015

For Acne "I started taking this medication for a scalp infection/acne about a week ago. At first, my scalp seemed to clear up overnight, and I was so excited, and my acne is feeling better too. However, after a week, the side effects kicked in, and I am sick to my stomach all the time. It's weird, I have this full feeling in my stomach like I am full of liquid and the medication is floating on top near my throat. I am hoping it will go away..."

• Cos...
• June 10, 2020

For Periodontitis "I started this medication, minocycline, for a “rash” on the side of my nose and under it. Prescribed for 4-6 weeks, twice a day, along with a topical cream. Perioral dermatitis. I’ve been nauseated."