Skip to main content

Tetracycline User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Actisite, Ala-Tet, Achromycin V, Brodspec Emtet-500 Sumycin 250

Tetracycline has an average rating of 6.5 out of 10 from a total of 63 reviews on Drugs.com. 56% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 29% reported a negative experience.

Write a review

Reviews for Tetracycline

  • hol...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 27, 2021

For Acne "I have been taking lymecycline for two weeks now and have also been prescribed 'Differin gel.' During the first week, my skin cleared up, but now I’m at the end of the second week, and my skin has broken out worse than it was before I started the medication. I know I haven’t been taking it for very long, but just thought I would share my experience. Please, could anyone give me any tips? Should I stop using the gel? It’s drying out my skin so badly! Thank you."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
46 Report
  • Anonymous
  • October 14, 2020

For Acne "I've suffered from acne since I was around 12 years old, where it started off on my forehead and progressively moved around my face, on my cheek areas in particular. By the time I hit the age of 18, my forehead was completely clear, but the cheek areas still had bad acne. The acne began to clear as I hit 21, with just major scarring there (not toothpick scars, just surface ones - blemishes). A few months ago, the acne returned to the cheek areas, and it was the worst it had ever been. I had a consult with my doctor who went on to say that I had severe acne (my acne had never been classified as this before). She prescribed me Tetracycline (as well as a topical cream). Within 2 weeks of the antibiotic treatment, my skin was even worse than before, and I came up in big spots. However, I'm now 5 weeks into the treatment, and the acne is almost gone - I still have a couple of spots here and there, but it's nothing like before. I still have 3 weeks left on the antibiotic course!"

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • JLJ...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 4, 2014

For Acne "Tetracycline was a miracle for me. I've had severe acne for 7 years and tried every medicine on the market, most of them made me sick or didn't work. I'm now 99% acne-free. It is weird to wake up and not see a cyst or pimple on my face every day. I just hope it stays like this forever."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
65 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Apr...
  • July 28, 2019

For Acne "I've been on tetracycline for 5 months now, and it works well for my acne. Suffered acne for a year after moving abroad, was really depressed, and I tried so many products, but they didn't work for my skin. Finally, a doctor prescribed me tetracycline 300 mg once/day, and my skin started to clear up. Now I can say my face is 100% acne-free. Now in the process of clearing up my acne marks. It's very effective for me and no side effects. I had my liver function and blood count checked, and they're all normal. Wish it would do the same for you. Good luck."

Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report
  • CTI...
  • October 9, 2015

For Acne "Have been taking 500 mg twice per day for 15 years. Works great. If I miss two doses, I begin to have problems right away. I do worry about staying on it for so long, but my doctor says not to worry. I am 53."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
41 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Awa...
  • February 16, 2020

For Acne "This medication, tetracycline, has been amazing. Eight days in and skin totally clear! Never had spots until my forties and made me so depressed... big cystic lumps that hurt, and I tried everything to the point that I tried a cream that made my eyes and skin swell... was horrific... I can now finally smile again. :)"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
25 Report
  • Cin...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 16, 2020

For Acne "After one week of use, my hormonal acne was completely gone. I have been struggling with hormonal cystic acne ever since I had my IUD fitted 10 years ago. I continued the medication as my doc prescribed for another 8 weeks. My skin has never looked this good, and I am 39 years old. Works wonders!!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Dan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 5, 2019

For Acne "Please be extra cautious about tetracycline as I took it for a month for my acne, which was prescribed by my doctor. Never did he mention that I should protect myself from the winter/spring sun! Unfortunately, I have suffered the tetracycline side effect of severe pigmentation from the sun, which will never go away. I would avoid this medication if possible."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • Lll...
  • October 12, 2019

For Acne "I have dealt with acne my whole life; however, in my teens it was very moderate and mainly in my T-zone (not hormonal). A few years later, I started to develop moderate to severe acne and cysts (my skin was in the worst condition it had ever been in). After half a year of struggling, I went on tetracycline, and I started to notice a difference within just a few weeks. After 6 months on the medication, my skin is now perfect; my acne is totally gone and my scarring is gone too because I am not consistently having breakouts. I still have minor breakouts from time to time, but nothing that is damaging to my skin. This medication 100% worked for me, and I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling with acne to try because it may work for you too! I am very strict about following the proper instructions for taking the medication. I always take it at the same times of day on an empty stomach."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
22 Report
  • Khl...
  • March 31, 2021

For Acne "I've been on oxytetracycline for a year now, and I remembered looking at reviews for it the day I got it prescribed. I thought I should share my own experience as I can see that they vary greatly. For me, oxytetracycline has worked wonders. My skin was pretty bad, I had big cystic spots under the skin on my face, which were painful and hard to get rid of, and each time I got rid of one, another one would appear. Once I started taking oxytetracycline, I had no new spots appearing on my face, and after 2 weeks, any remaining spots had pretty much disappeared. Since then, I haven't stopped taking it, and my skin has been completely clear. I would 100% recommend trying it."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • Oi ...
  • December 4, 2017

For Acne "I've been using tetracycline for around 5 weeks now and have gone from constant, incredibly painful, inflamed, angry acne covering my cheeks, jawline, and even cropping up on my forehead to acne-free skin. It took around 3 weeks for me to see a noticeable difference, but from then onwards, the results have been consistent. I haven't had a new spot in 2 weeks now, so I can finally focus on treating the hyperpigmentation left from previous acne."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
25 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 9, 2017

For Acne "I did not enjoy being on tetracycline. I got extremely nauseous and almost vomited several times. It was a lot to put up with for little results. It also took a while before seeing results. I also noticed I was bruising a lot easier. I switched to minocycline, which I like a lot better, I noticed better results, and I have no side effects! If you're having the same problem as I did with the side effects, switching to minocycline (the sister of tetracycline) may be beneficial for you! Good luck! I know acne can be super stressful, but don't let it get you down, it never looks as bad as you think."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
24 Report
  • Mtc...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 11, 2019

For Acne "Tetracycline was the worst thing. It gave me acne that I never even had after I stopped it (1 month usage) My oh my do I regret using this. I'm regret taking this stuff and I want to tell everyone to try stay away from antibiotics. Over all it isn't healthy and it isn't a long term solution. While I was on it it gave me whiteheads and THE MOST OILIEST SKIN I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH. Almost two weeks into stopping it I am still very oily .. :( I'm so sad... I think I'll try use Retin-A. I now have terrible texture. Deep cystic acne and clogged pores EVERYWHERE please please please be careful guys... Antibiotics isn't something you should play with."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • Sha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 13, 2020

For Acne "I've been using tetracycline for few weeks now, the difference is huge and It works wonders I didn't experience any side effect . My doctor prescribed 3 months of oxytetracycline and hope these results will last after I finish the treatment."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Gra...
  • July 20, 2016

For Acne "I was on Tetracycline for my mild acne for 3 months, and the results were absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe how good my face was getting. If I had a bad breakout, it would only take 3 days for that breakout to leave because of Tetracycline. I've been off it for a month now, and unfortunately, my clear skin was as clear as I started to breakout after I stopped, but it was not as bad as my acne was 4 months before treatment. At the moment, I'm on Retin-A but might be moving over to Accutane if topical does not succeed. For anyone who is scared of Tetracycline, don't be, the side effects are very mild and are nothing close to what they say the symptoms are. Best of luck to anyone trying this for the first time."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
17 Report
  • Jua...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 8, 2021

For Acne "I'm on Lymecycline for about 2 weeks now, at first it was doing great since no new spot appeared. But 2 days ago a huge red cystic spot appeared on my cheek, I'm so frustrated… maybe is normal? I don't know. Any way, hope it gets better in the end. Btw I have “adult acne” (woman)."

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • O_w...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 25, 2021

For Acne "I have been on these for around 1 year and it effected me really bad mentally, I had severe depression, oversensitivity, panic attacks. I stopped taking them for the last 1 week and I’ve seen a huge difference mentally."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • sak...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 18, 2017

For Acne "Going on tetracycline was a failed attempt at curing my acne. I have mild acne with deep pimples sometimes. The antibiotic did not begin to work until after I was done taking it (I was on it for about 3 months), and it gave me bad stomach pains. After about 2 months of getting off of tetracycline all of my acne came back on my face, and it appeared to be worse on my back and chest. I do not recommend this as a remedy for acne. This was a big waste of time and I regret taking it."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report
  • Use...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 9, 2020

For Acne "Tetracycline had the same effect as doxy, complete waste of money and time for me. Have been on two courses of this drug and all it did was make my mild acne worse and did nothing to help what so ever. Antibiotics don’t help acne, if you’re lucky enough to get improvement from them don’t expect it to be permanent..I have now been on 4 courses of antibiotics and after coming off my last course of doxy I’m now on probiotics to fix issues caused by doctors giving me antibiotics for acne - it has left me with even more problems than before I started."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Lon...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 24, 2019

For Acne "I was prescribed Lymecycline for 8 weeks, one per day on an empty stomach (no dairy for an hour before or hour after). I have suffered with acne for 4 years and I really did see a difference with this antibiotic. I ONLY saw a difference at the very end, it is very important you finish the whole antibiotic cycle to be able to see the result. Trust the process! My acne isn’t completely cleared but it is way less aggressive and I only have one or two spots now. Side affects were feeling very sick in the first few days, but eating made that go away."

Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Acn...
  • August 19, 2020

For Acne "I went on lymecycline for the standard 2 month course for acne , took it every day without fail, and yet less that a week after I’d finished the course I had many small white headed spots all over my face. It was just as bad as before I started treatment. About 6 weeks into the treatment I had completely cleared of all spots, and now they are back again. My self esteem had been hit really hard by this . And I have school again in two weeks , I don’t know how I’m going to show my face there"

5 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Ann...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 26, 2020

For Acne "I started to get acne when I turned 19 and started using tetracycline HCL, 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night. I also used the topical steiva Retin A cream and my acne dramatically went away from the acne and the scarring. I used it for about 3 months, although the acne went away before that. Unfortunately I am 22 going to be 23 this year and I still struggle with acne. I am back on the tetracycline to clear up my acne again and deciding if I should take Accutane because it’s been years and it just won’t go away."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Sun...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 10, 2021

For Acne "Hi ya to anybody reading this! I have been taking oxytetracycline for around a month and a half now and I have had no problems with it whatsoever! My skin is beginning to improve as I am seeing far less breakouts (my acne is described as moderate-severe). I am reassuring you that I personally have had no side effects at all and no yellow teeth :) I have tried so many acne treatments that have not seemed to work at all, but this is seemingly doing the trick! I use this with zindalacin gel, cera ve facial cleanser and a moisturiser."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Aga...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 26, 2020

For Acne "I used tetracycline HCL, 2 pills in the morning and 2 at night for one month for my mild acne. I also used the topical steiva Retin A cream. After one month, my acne came back much much worse than before and my skin has been extremely oily. I also had terrible side effects with the medication, such as nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, etc. I continued for the entire month hoping it’ll make a difference and the negative effects would be outweight by the postive and clear my skin. I didn’t see much improvements while taking the medication, maybe 20% less than before, but now my acne has gotten much worse once I got off."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • mir...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 6, 2017

For Acne "Loved the results from tetracycline. Was on for 3 months and had the best skin I have ever had. Cleared up my chest and face within a week. Unfortunately within a month of being done the prescription I started to break out again. Going back to the dermatologist tomorrow to ask to go back on."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.