Tetracycline Acne

Tetracycline Acne

Tetracycline acne is an antibiotic approach that is used to suppress the symptoms of acne, with general success.

It does not cure acne, but can be effective at high doses for very severe acne, or low doses for less severe acne, in reducing the symptoms. The tetracyclines and their derivatives, doxycycline and minocycline, are used.

Because tetracycline acne treatment is only able to supress symptoms, treatment is often long term - months or years. In this case, doses are generally low.

Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take tetracyclines as they can stain teeth permanently and inhibit bone growth, leading to skeletal defects in a fetus. They are also contraindicated for children under twelve, for the same reasons. Oral erythromycin is an alternative for pregnant women and young children.