Get Over Acne!
Acne Treatment and Prevention

Can the antibiotic minocycline permanently cure acne after a three month course?

My doctor has put me on 3 month course of minocycline to get rid of my acne. I have to take one 50mg tablet twice a day. Can it permanently cure my acne after the three months? Or will it come back after the three months have finished? I have been taking it for exactly one wee and the results have been very good so far, clearing up the acne nicely. It's just leaving acne scars which will eventually go.

Public Comments

1. Minocycline is probably the most successful of the oral antibiotics used in acne. Unfortunately it is basically acting as a symptom drug and does not deal with the underlying cause. If the skin was in good condition it was my practice to try stopping the drug after 3 months. Unfortunately this often leads to a recrudescence of the problem. The usual practice is to then try a 6 month course. The drug can be safely used for very prolonged periods and is sometimes given for years.