Acne is a skin condition. It can occur in varying grades of intensity. In simple terms, these grades are categorized as mild grade, moderate and acute grade. There are no scientific tests to substantiate the grade. However, experienced skin doctors (read: dermatologists) can determine the intensity through careful, visual examination. Antibiotics are commonly administered for treating acne. Among such antibiotic meds, doxycycline is a widely used drug. But, how long does it take for this med to cure acne? It becomes important to know more about this before starting your treatment plan.
If you witness blackheads as well as bumps on skin, it can be acne. If inflammation of your skin gets bigger, it can denote worsening of this skin condition. Salicylic acid based topical creams are often used as an over the counter (OTC) option to treat acne. Some topical meds may also contain benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid or sulfur as active ingredients. Of these numerous options, salicylic acid help remove dead cells of skin more effectively. On the other hand, benzoyl peroxide enables oxygen to enter into your pores; this entry helps kill bacterial strands. Once your hair follicles are cleared of dead cells, further spread of acne is prevented. Beware of excessive dryness or allied conditions such as reddening of skin, peeling, etc.
Use of antibiotics is a common approach to treat acne. As most bacterial strands are drug-resistant, the American academy of Dermatological sciences recommends the use of a combination of such drugs. In this light, doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic med used for treating acne, rosacea and a few other skin conditions. This drug is available both as a capsule as well as a pill version. It is available as a generic and a branded formulation; popular branded formulations are Doryx, Oracea, etc.
How to use doxycycline for acne?
This tetracycline antibiotic drug is used for treating moderate and acute spells of acne. This drug is often used when inflammation fails to decrease despite the use of other topical drugs. This drug is known to be more effective in controlling bacterial spread in blocked pores of skin. It is easy to tell this condition; you are likely to witness swollen bumps. No two people with acne may be treated with the same dosage plan. Your medication plan may vary based on the severity of your clinical condition, presence of prior allergies to key ingredients of doxycycline, etc.
Dosages can vary from 40 milligrams (mg) to 100 mg. The 40 mg dose is administered once within a 24-hour timeline; doses in excess of it are given twice per day. Caregivers may administer this antibiotic med along with drugs such as retinoids (topical) or with benzoyl peroxide. Use of this med with other topical drugs is known to prevent resistance to antibacterial drugs. Dosages of doxycycline never exceed more than 3 months. Your dermatologist may advise discontinuation of this drug once the signs of acne are known to subside. However, in a few rare instances, this drug is used for a longer timeframe.
Precautions required while using doxycycline
People with prior allergies to the key ingredients used in doxycycline must be more careful. The caregiving team must be informed of such hypersensitivity and allergies. This drug must not be administered onto children aged 9 years or less. The chemicals present in this med can stunt normal growth and cause permanent discoloration of tooth.
Doxycycline may cause a few side effects. Common among its side effects are a sudden decrease in appetite, abdominal problems like indigestion, nausea, vomiting as well as discharge of watery stools. These side effects are categorized as minor discomforts. These may stop showing up as soon as your system gets used to this drug’s key chemicals. If you are witnessing a few acute discomforts such as renal dysfunction (manifests as painful urination or discoloration of urine), build-up of pressure levels inside your skull, acute episodes of headache or blurring of eyesight, etc., seek clinical help without delay.
Women who are currently using contraceptives will need added precautions. This is because doxycycline may render birth control measures as powerless. You may hence run the risk of an unplanned pregnancy. It is safe practice to switch to non-hormonal contraceptive measures such as vaginal rings, diaphragms or condoms. Talk to your doctor about the method of birth control that suits best with your system. Also, those who already have liver problems like inflammation of liver (also known as hepatitis) and cirrhosis of liver must inform their caregiver about such hepatic conditions. Those living with sexually transmitted diseases or infections such as gonorrhea and if you are taking meds, your treating physician must know about such conditions.
Care to remember that doxycycline can make your sensitive to sunlight. You are advised to wear protective garments. When you are stepping out, never forget to use a sunscreen lotion or ointment. This tetracycline antibiotic drug may work adversely when taken along with calcium, iron or magnesium supplements. Stay more careful while using antacids or other meds which may have sodium bicarbonate in them. Tell your treating doctor about all the drugs you are presently consuming. It is a good practice to make a list of all meds presently used; in this list ensure to add over the counter meds, prescription drugs, herbal aids, dietary supplements, proteins, vitamins, etc.
If doxycycline is interacting in an adverse manner with other drugs, your caregiver may prescribe a few alternatives such as azithromycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, etc. You are advised to watch out for any side effects and report to your caregiving team as quickly as possible. Users living in US may call 911 or the helpline of food and drug administration (FDA). Users in Canada can call Health Canada or rush to a poison control center as soon as you possible can.
In sum, doxycycline is used in the treatment of moderate to acute episodes of acne. It is effective in controlling bacterial infections in blocked pores of your skin. Doses can vary from one person to another. It is typically maintained at 40 mg, administered as a single dose per day. However, if your condition is fairly acute, doses are increased upto 100 mg each day. You are advised to know that this med is never used for a long duration.
Education: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from New York University. Experience: 5 years of experience writing for physiotherapy and sports medicine blogs, providing expert insights on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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