How Long Does It Take Doxycycline To Clear Acne

Dealing with acne is a constant struggle. Stubborn acne often needs oral antibiotics, along with topical treatment like serums, lotions, and ointments. This is where doxycycline may help. This oral antibiotic is effective against acne-causing bacteria and is prescribed for treating acne. This article explores how doxycycline works and everything you need to know about this drug. Keep reading.

What Is Doxycycline?

Doxycycline belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics used to treat several bacterial infections, including moderate to severe acne (1), (2). Dermatologists prefer it over other medicines as it has a low risk of causing adverse reactions (3). Doxycycline is especially useful for managing acne on larger body areas and for those that are not responding to topical medications.

A small dosage of oral doxycycline is more effective against different strains of P. acnes. It is more effective in patients older than 18 years (3), (4). Doxycycline is available under different brand names like Oracea, Atridox, Vibramycin, Doryx, and Monodox. Read on to learn how doxycycline works.

How Does Doxycycline Work For Acne?

Doxycycline has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It inhibits the protein synthesis of P.acnes bacteria and reduces inflammation by blocking the blood cells, enzymes, and messengers that cause redness (3), (1).

In the following sections, we have addressed some common questions that you may have regarding doxycycline usage.

How To Take Doxycycline

The doxycycline dosage may range between 50 mg and 150 mg, depending on the severity of your condition(1). Consult the doctor regarding the correct dosage for your condition and its frequency.

Also, doxycycline may interact with other medications. If you take calcium, iron supplements, and products that may contain magnesium and aluminum, inform your doctor. These supplements may prevent the absorption of doxycycline.

What Is The Best Time To Take Doxycycline For Acne?

It is better to consult a doctor regarding the correct way of taking doxycycline. It can upset the stomach, so taking it with food can help. However, slow-release medicines like Oracea (doxycycline 40 mg) should be taken only on an empty stomach (5). Take this medication either one hour before eating or two hours post-meal.

How Long Should You Take Doxycycline For Acne?

It depends on the severity of your condition, and it is better to consult a doctor. Usually, dermatologists prescribe the medication for three months to prevent drug resistance. They may also prescribe topical medication along with oral medicines.

You have to be extremely careful while taking doxycycline. You may want to avoid it in certain situations. Find out more in the next section.

Who Should Not Take Doxycycline?

Avoid taking doxycycline after the second trimester as it may affect the fetus's development (6).
Avoid giving doxycycline to young children under 8 years of age as it may affect their growth.

Avoid using doxycycline if you are allergic to tetracycline. It may cause several side effects, which we have discussed in the next section.

Risks And Side Effects Of Doxycycline

1. Stomach Upset

Doxycycline can cause nausea and indigestion issues (7). Before taking doxycycline, talk to the doctor and take the medicine as prescribe (with, before, or after food intake). Also, you may ask the doctor for some alternative medication to minimize the side effects.

2. Pill-Induced Esophagitis

Doxycycline can cause esophagitis, a condition where it hurts during swallowing. This is mainly due to the large size of the doxycycline capsule, which may injure the esophagus (8).

3. Photosensitivity

Doxycycline causes photosensitivity and may increase your risk of sun damage (9). Use sunscreen lotion whenever you are stepping outside.

4. Drug Interactions

Tetracyclines (including doxycycline) may interact with antacids, especially those containing calcium, magnesium, and aluminum. It may also interact with anticoagulants (like warfarin), didanosine, atovaquone, penicillin, hormonal contraceptives, and methoxyflurane (10). Doxycycline, when taken with anticoagulants, may cause severe bleeding. It also interacts with seizure medications like barbiturates and reduces their efficacy (11), (12).

Doxycycline may also cause some rare side effects like permanent yellowing of teeth and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare skin and mucous membrane disorder that may cause flu-like symptoms and painful rashes (13).

Doxycycline is a popular antibiotic for acne treatment. It kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation. Doxycycline is often used to treat moderate to severe acne and is combined with other topical acne treatments. However, be careful while using this medicine as it may cause serious side effects if not used properly. Consult a doctor before taking doxycycline.

13 Sources

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Doxycycline and minocycline for the management of acne: a review of efficacy and safety with emphasis on clinical implications
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Oral Doxycycline in the Management of Acne Vulgaris: Current Perspectives on Clinical Use and Recent Findings with a New Double-scored Small Tablet Formulation
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Comparison of therapeutic effects of oral doxycycline and azithromycin in patients with moderate acne vulgaris: What is the role of age?
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ORACEA- doxycycline capsule
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Revisiting doxycycline in pregnancy and early childhood – time to rebuild its reputation?
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Doxycycline
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20099667/
Pill-Induced Esophagitis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099275/
Phototoxicity of Doxycycline: A Systematic Review on Clinical Manifestations Frequency Cofactors and Prevention
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28291967/
Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris
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Interaction of doxycycline and warfarin: an enhanced anticoagulant effect
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17592328/
Interaction between doxycycline and barbiturates
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4817187/
Stevens-Johnson syndrome induced by doxycycline
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17388211/