I just started taking tetracycline for acne. How long will my acne be worse before it starts to improve?

I just started taking tetracycline, one 500mg capsule daily, for mild-to-moderate acne. My doctor warned me that my acne would get worse before it gets better. How long should it take before my acne improves?





Also, should I continue to use over-the-counter topical treatments in addition to the tetracycline?





Thanks!|||skin turns over every week, so i%26#039;d wait at least till then.


however you should never rely on just medication, but should be making lifestyle changes - like drinking TONS more water, exercise, wearing no (or only the right type of) makeup - ie. bare minerals





you should also use an air purifier in your room at night while you sleep and during the day in whatever room you spend the most amount of time in (ie. work desk/kitchen, etc).





when shopping for air purifiers, make sure you don%26#039;t get an ionic air purifier or an ozone one.





i%26#039;d check the reference below for specifics.


a proper air purifier cleans the oxygen, and pure oxygen kills indoor air pollutants as well as bacteria settling on your face|||Tetracycline is penicillin, an antibiotic. In general, an antibiotic needs a constant level to really work. 2 weeks should be enough time for you to see some affects.





The most important thing to remember is to take the pills on a regular basis. Don%26#039;t miss or postpone taking your dosages. Every time the level of antibiotics in your system decreases, will increase the # of days necessary to see the results. Try to take it at the same time every day.





I would hold off using any other topical treatments in order to see if the tetracycline is working first.





If it doesn%26#039;t work for you, try googling %26quot;all about zits%26quot;. There is a new topical cream that they say works wonders and you can get it for under $20. The commercial is on television.





Remember to keep your hands off your face...hands are filthy!





Good Luck!





*** It%26#039;s %26quot;truth about zits%26quot;...saw the commercial last night. Sorry for the mistake.|||i took it as well and would say about 2-3 weeks.


yes, definitely continue to use the topical treatments as well.


my doctor paired it with retin a micro gel and it worked GREAT.


but the topical medicine made my skin VERY dry. it would literally peel....gross. if you do use a topical medication, i would sugget keeping lotion with you when you go out.


but for me tretracycline worked wonders and even though i%26#039;ve stopped with it my skin is much better.|||It usually takes around two weeks to really see results.





It%26#039;s up to you if you want to use other topical stuff. I think it%26#039;s important to keep your skin hydrated (because antibiotics can cause you to have dry skin). Make sure you%26#039;re using a good cleanser as well!|||For the most reliable answer, you should call or email your doctor and ask him. That way you will know for sure, without a doubt! :)