Should I treat my acne with Doxycycline?

What is Doxycycline?
Doxycycline is a tetracycline oral antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. As we other oral antibiotics, Doxycycline can improve acne for the short term but does not have a long-term effect. Thus, if you want to use Doxycycline for your acne you need to combine it with an effective anti-acne skin care routine. Once you complete the Doxycycline treatment (usually 3-4 months) and your acne is improved you need to continue with your topical medications to maintain the results.

What are the brand Names of Doxycycline?
Acticlate, Adoxa, Alodox, Avidoxy, Doryx, Mondoxyne NL, Monodox, Morgidox, Oracea, Oraxyl, Targadox, Vibramycin

Is Doxycycline allowed for use in children, pregnancy of breast feeding?
Doxycycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not breast-feed while you are taking this medicine.
Children under the age of 8 years, should not use this medicine. Doxycycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.
Using doxycycline during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life.
Doxycycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Are there allergies to Doxycycline?
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to doxycycline or other tetracycline antibiotics such as demeclocycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or tigecycline.

How should I take doxycycline?
Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking doxycycline. You can take it with food or milk if the medicine upsets your stomach.

May I take doxycycline together with other drugs or vitamins? Can I sun tan when on doxycycline ?
Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking doxycycline. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Doxycycline can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What are the most common side effects of doxycycline?
Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, loss of appetite; mild diarrhea; skin rash or itching; or vaginal itching or discharge.

Should I treat my acne with Minocycline (Solodyn)?

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