Oracea [doxycycline] works for Rosacea, but it does not work for everyone:
Oracea and Doxycycline Anecdotal Reports
According to this report, Oracea works for some rosacea sufferers:
"After 16 weeks' therapy, anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline 40 mg was significantly more effective in improving rosacea than placebo, providing a greater reduction in the total inflammatory lesion count (primary endpoint) than placebo." Source:
Doxycycline 40 mg Capsules (30 mg Immediate-Release/10 mg Delayed-Release Beads): Anti-Inflammatory Dose in Rosacea.
McKeage K, Deeks ED.
Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(3):217-22.
So if you are interested in asking your physician for a prescription you might want to read below:
Exclusive rebates—save on your MetroGel® 1% and/or Oracea® prescriptions or go to bestfaceforward.com for savings cards. One report says 'the company is no longer honoring the $25.00 deal. However, another report says the savings card works as long as you have insurance. There is a telephone number to call to ask questions:
1-866-954-5516
If you are low income you can get Oracea for free!!!
There is speculation that generic Oracea may be available in the first quarter of 2011. More info.
Prescribing Information
In UK and in Europe Oracea is known as Efracea.
MHRA Product Info on Efracea
According to Galderma, "Oracea® (doxycycline, USP) is the first and only oral therapy approved by the FDA to treat the inflammatory lesions (red bumps, blemishes, and pustules) of rosacea." It may not help the erythma or redness associated with rosacea.
Oracea was originally made by Collagenex which was bought up by Galderma for $420 Million in April 2008 has now been promoted by Galderma as a first line of treatment dermatologists should use along with topical Metronidazole (usually Metrogel - also a Galderma product or other Galderma topical forms of metronidazole). Galderma was formed in 1981 as a joint venture between Nestle and L’Oreal. David Pascoe has been following this closely and has more scoops on Oracea than anyone. If you have no idea what Oracea is, it is a special form of tetracycline called doxycycline in an enteric coated capsule which makes it timed released and only in 40 mg. doses which makes it 'submicrobal, anti-inflammatory' and not anti-bacterial. Supposedly Oracea touts the claim that it will not cause antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is now being promoted as a long term solution for rosacea.
Joseph P. Shovlin, O.D., points out that "When Periostat went generic, CollaGenex re-introduced it as a 40mg, once-daily, time-released pill called Oracea, which gained FDA approval for treating rosacea in May 2006. Oracea is the drug of choice for rosacea, says Joseph Bikowski, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at Ohio State University. However, the cost may be prohibitory. It is about $4 a pill. For that reason, some clinicians prescribe doxycycline off-label."
The New York Times reports that sales of Oracea for the first half of 2006 totaled $9.1 million. According to Pascoe he says that if he is reading the graph right, Oracea prescriptions numbered 1.2 million a month in December 2007. Oracea sales was worth approximately $104 million for the twelve-month period ending July 2009. This figure is up almost 200% from the previously reported sales of $52.5 million in 2007. Source
You can imagine how many prescriptions have been handed out now that Galderma is targeting dermatologists all over the world with this prescription drug for rosacea, touted as the 'only FDA approved oral prescription for rosacea.'
Business Wire reports that a "double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled a total of 72 rosacea patients at 3 centers....The study successfully met this endpoint and demonstrated a statistically significant, greater reduction in inflammatory lesions at Weeks 12 and 16 in the Oracea + MetroGel group compared to the Placebo + MetroGel group."
A conference reports that "A multi-center, randomized double-blind trial com-pared the efficacy and safety of anti-inflammatory dosedoxycycline 40 mg daily (Oracea) versus non enteric-coated doxycycline 100 mg once daily.5 Patients in botharms of the study were also treated with metronidazole1% (Metrogel 1%) once a day. At the end of 16 week ,there was the same onset and extent of therapeutic effect in both groups based primarily on reduction in inflammatory lesions. The major difference in both groups was in the number of subjects who experienced gastrointesti-nal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominalpain. The non-enteric-coated doxycycline 100-mg once-a-day group reported significantly more side effects,especially gastrointestinal side effects, with no cases ofnausea, vomiting or abdominal pain noted in the group receiving anti-inflammatory-dose doxycycline."
Source:
Skin &Aging Supplement to the February 2009
27th Anniversary Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference
Another report Pascoe brings out is that 100mg doxycycline no better than Oracea. Pascoe also has an interesting article he entitles, "Galderma wants to own the Rosacea Market" which is worth reading.
The biggest complaint so far from rosaceans is the high cost of this prescription. Some have been getting rebates from Galderma but again and again the complaints are how much this prescription costs.
Paul says, "...There is no difference between delayed release 40mg Oracea vs. 50mg doxycycline. The only difference is price..." Scroll down to Comment #82
R gives this tip:
"Hello everyone, good to find this group. Hope my ideas are not that crazy and contribute to alternative cheap ways of treating rosacea.
Well, I looked up the plasma concentration curves and interestingly see the 50 mg boost all the way up over the threshold of 1000 mg/mL.
1. So 50 mg generic wil do that and become a problem causing bacteria resistance and side effects so I think 50 mg of Doryx extended release will be a much better bet/option because the release is slowly through the day so I doubt it will ever go over 1000 mg/mL and it seems to be cheaper than doryx.
2. I did some interpolation using the data from the curves graph. A 40 mg generic dose will go up to ~900 mg/mL around 1.5 hr after taking the medication and remain at the top ~900 mg/mL for 3 hrs to start decaying interestingly not lower than the oracea baseline of ~200 mg/mL. Perhaps a higuer baseline is better for inflammation and taking it once a day should be ok.
“remember oracea is just like a generic of 30mg once you take it so the 3 hrs of the curve should be similar to a generic 30 mg so the 40 mg would be in between ”
3. 20 mg generic doses twice a day should work fine as well, maybe try 20 mg in the morning and then 20 mg during the day with your own extended release method… yes crush it and put it in your water bottle and start drinking it 2-3 hrs after your morning dose so it can keep the does constant.
Hope this mathematical scientific method helps…
yes try the cheap way and save the $$ away from big pharma brother.
cheers" Original post can be read by scrolling down to Comment #105
Another alternative to Oracea to consider is Doryx which is an enteric-coated doxycycline that is released in the intestine rather than the stomach. Doryx was reported to have fewer gastrointestinal side effects compared to capsules containing the powdered form.
"Unfortunately, there are no studies comparing the clinical efficacy of subantimicrobial doses to conventional doses of doxycycline for acne treatment."
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, September 2007, Vol. 6, Issue 9, page 876
Another alternative to consider is Solydyn (Medicis, Scottsdale, Az), an extended-release formulation of minocycline HCL for once-daily dosing which became the first FDA approved oral antibiotic for acne vulgarism in May 2006. Source
There certainly are many reports that Oracea improves and controls rosacea and many report that they are extremly happy with Oracea and don't mind taking this drug for as long as it takes or how much it costs. So you might want to consider this expensive prescription treatment for rosacea by asking your dermatologist about it. Don't forget to ask about the risks and side effects since you will find out later what you should have known about if you develop any of these. But as with all rosacea treatments Oracea doesn't work for everyone. I have concentrated most of the comments below about Oracea, low dose doxycycline and a few other doxycycline comments. Wikipedia has an interesting wealth of information about doxycycline you should read about as well.
The reason I made this page is to show that there are some who say it didn't work for them or had some kind of a problem with taking it. Below you will find the anecdotal reports I have collected that at the very minimum have a negative leaning on using Oracea. I also include at the bottom some anecdotal reports on doxycycline.
Dave Pascoe reports that "My doxycycline usage is all in the past tense, so no, I no longer take it. I would imagine that most rosacea sufferers want to wean off systemic antibiotics at some stage." Scroll down to Post #129
Another report says, "There is a great deal of evidence to support the use of tetracycline and doxycycline in the treatment of papulopustular rosacea. Nevertheless, these agents have shared and unique adverse effects and relative contraindications. Recently, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline was demonstrated to be an effective treatment for rosacea, due to its inherent anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline has a more preferable tolerability profile and a lower occurrence of bacterial resistance than traditional-dose doxycycline. To further elucidate the role of tetracycline agents in rosacea, clinical trials that compare these agents with each other as well as with other effective rosacea treatments are called for. Adherence studies comparing oral tetracycline treatment with topical metronidazole treatment may also enhance clinical decision making."
The role of tetracyclines in rosacea.
Alikhan A, Kurek L, Feldman SR.
University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA.
Am J Clin Dermatol. 2010;11(2):79-87
Azithromycin as an alternative rosacea therapy when tetracyclines prove problematic
by Sapna Modi, Mandy Harting, Theodore Rosen
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Sept, 2008
Some day clinical studies will be reported comparing Oracea with low dose doxycycline! Here is an interesting one to read for now:
Subantimicrobial Dose Doxycycline for Acne and Rosacea:
SD Doxycycline in Adult Rosacea
Oracea Anecdotal Reports
"I’ve been on Oracea for years and finally gave up. It was the chronic yeast infections that did me in. Ironically, I’m not convinced that Oracea helped me that much anyway and it definitely “hurt” (yeast). I’ve been off for over 2 weeks and i don’t notice being off it, other than the complete relief of not having a yeast infection. BTW the infections, for me anyway, got worse and more frequent over time." Scroll to #158 Lisa on 05.20.10 at 2:14 AM
Alyson Beck says, "I too was on oracea for about 2 years when it seemed to no longer work and my rosacea returned. While taking it, I frequently had digestive upsets which I used acidophilus to mediate."
huiness says, "...When I finally decided to go back to Derm #2, he then diagnosed me with rosacea (I'd stopped applying steroids for about a month by then), started me on Oracea and 10% sodium sulfacetamide and gave me my first IPL. Oracea seemed to work ok at first..my face wasn't completely clear but I could live with it. Then 2 weeks into it I had the worst p&p breakout ever - so bad that I called in sick and didnt show up to work (silly, I know). Derm then upped the dosage and switched me to Doryx (doxycycline 150mg), and added finacea to the mix..."
Starbuck says, "I have started to noticed increased redness and eye burning since I started taking Oracea." "I saw a new derm today and she took me off oracea." by starbuck on Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:55 pm and on Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:21 am
Stefieny says, "I did not take Oracea long term, but would like to share my experience anyway...
I started taking Oracea last August and experienced heavy pressure all over my head after about 10 days, I stopped the medication for a week and the pressure disappeared. I went back on the med and at first, the pressure came back, but after a few days, it was completely gone. I continued taking Oracea for the next 4 months. During those 4 months, I noticed an improvment in ocular rosacea, reduction in nose swelling (phymatous rosacea) and 95% clear of p & p (I have a mild case of p&p). However, I have lost some weight (about 8-10 lbs) since I started taking the med and have not gain back the weight no matter how much I ate. Last month, my ribs and chest started hurting when I went to bed at night and upon waking up in the morning. I suspected these were side effects from taking Oracea. I stopped the medication since and the pain seems to be disappearing as well. As you see, everyone's body and health is different and may react to the drug differently. If you have any liver problems, I do recommend you to do a blood test every three months and make sure the drug is not effecting your liver function in any way." Scroll down to Post #43
Loretta says, "I tried Oracea and a sulfur wash which helped at first but then began to irritate....At my next dr apt. they were surprised that things weren’t improving and switched me to Doryx and Finacea." Scroll down to post #68
dfvalent says, "i started taking oracea a few months ago and i have noticed a severe bloated feeling. i wasn't sure if it was just a pms thing, but i definitely know now that it's the pill. i feel like i ate a ton of salt and my body feels tight. it stinks and i'm going to ask my derm to put me back on regular doxy (don't know why she took me off in the first place!). good to know it's not just me." Scroll down to June 14, 2010 12:49 PM
Lori says, "I tried Oracea for awhile. It worked great at first with no side effects and then my acne rosacea came back with a vengeance. I am now on Doryx tablets 150 mg (timed release), and my face is completely clear." Scroll down to post #84
Robin says, "I used Oracea for a couple of months. It didn’t really help and caused some gastro-intestinal problems." Scroll down to post #93
Ty says, "Oracea worked for about a month and then things went down hill quickly. I had to go back on daily mynocycline, which I find to be much more effective against my p&ps." Comment #8
De says, "I have mild rosacea. I was on an 8 week study for Oracea with Metrogel. Unfortunately at week 4, I developed joint pain in my right hip and I was unable to complete the study. Joint pain is a rare side affect of Oracea, so please be careful. However, I did see results. If you don’t develop side effects then this would be something you might want to try." Comment #1
Stacy M says, "I tried Oracea and had terrible results. If someone wants to have a flare up, I would recommend the Oracea. I had more burning and ruddiness than prior to taking the Oracea." Comment #13
Betti says, "I recently started taking oreacea 40 mg. No improvement in my acne. Also it is exspensive since it’s a new drug my insurance doesn’t cover it so it’s $75 a month so I won’t be using this again I’m going back to doxycycline." Comment #15
LB says, ""...Anyway, the dermatologist gave me oracea, metrogel 1%, a night cream with coffeeberry by Revaleskin, and recommended that I either continue to use my Neutrogena cleanser or Cetaphil and upgrade my Neurogena moisturizer to 45 spf. I did all that, but I took an initial 4 or 5 pills (sample) that the dermatologist gave me. Then I didn’t refill the pills until about a week later. I had a horrible rash like break out after about a week. I hadn’t had a such a breakout since I used that awful harsh skin cleanser for teenagers when I was a teenager. I didn’t know if it was because I had suddenly quit taking the pills (oracea) or if it was the combo of using Neutrogena cleanser called healthy skin anti-wrinkle anti-blemish with the other things the dermatologist gave me. I have never before had a break out from the simple use of that Neutrogena cleanser, but I thought that perhaps the use of it with the other things might have been a problem. I wish I knew what the cause of that rash was. It strangely cleared up almost completely the next morning after cleansing with Cetaphil and using the night cream. So, I am hoping that it was only that the mix of cleanser, toner, metrogel, moisturizer, and cream somehow didn’t mix right. I am terrified of having that effect again. If it was the sudden stopping of Oracea that caused the rash, then that worries me because if my insurance changed and I couldn’t afford it anymore, I would be up a creek with a rash no less…I don’t know what to think...." Comment # 33
LB continues, "...The Oracea may not have been the reason for that sudden rash, but I’m fairly certain that it is responsible for this stomach aching that started after I started taking the Oracea. I have a sensitive tummy anyway...." Comment #37
Dean says, "I was given some Oracea pills by my Dr. over the summer–enough for about 2 months. They were the kind they give the Dr’s for samples-40-50mgs I think. This really helped my Rosacea because it totally went away. Once I ran out the Rosacea gradually came back. As I travel a lot and its difficult to get to my regular Dr sometimes I called him and he prescribed 100mg of Doxycycline twice a day. I have been taking it now for about 4 days and its already almost completely cleared up. I worry that this is a higher dose than what I’ve seen recommended on your site and others since they recommend 40-50mg a day. I don’t seem to have any negative reactions to the amount he prescribed but worry about building up a “tolerance’ or whatever the word is to taking so much antibiotic. Should I worry about this?..." Comment # 43
Patty says, "...I have had success with Oracea, a low dose doxycycline, but I will still get a small breakout around that "time of the month"..." Scroll to Post #2
Angela says, "...I was taking Oracea along with a a number of other medications… but they didn’t seem to work. So I discontinued them…" Comment #65
prjh says, "He gave me 30 days of Doryx when I went back and he wants to transistion me to Oracea. Two weeks into the Doryx and I am again breakout free -- my concern is that the Oracea will not maintain this as he hopes it will. I was on Oracea about two years ago and it did nothing for me."
Kelly says, "...3 weeks ago I started using Oracea-I have actually had more papules/pustules since using Oracea. Should I stop using it?..." Comment #72
Kay says, "I have been taking Oracea for 2 weeks and I really haven’t seen much of a difference. I still have a break out on my forehead, on the sides of my nose, and my cheeks. The redness hasn’t receded. My eyes are still red and gritty. I had my hopes up so I’m quite disappointed. Also, last weekend, I got some sun on my arms and in the last several days, my arms have broken into a rash. I have small red itchy bumps all over my arms, right in time for short sleeve season..." Comment #78
ItsNotWorking says, "...Anyways, after a month of taking oracea, i have to say my face is way way worse than before taking it. How i wish i didnt go to my dermatologist. Now the bumps/acne is on the right and left and all the way up my cheek, nose, its all over my face. It gets itchy every so often and now face is pitted and scarred.
I am very depressed i dont know if my face will get back to how it was before. It was at least clear at other areas. i know i cant say for sure it is the oracea, but it is the only thing i have taken religiously everyday, hoping one day it will get better...." Comment #81
ItsNotWorking says, "...so i have been off oracea for a few days, the second day my skin cleared up so much i was like screaming with joy… but then the next day i was working around the house on a hot day and my rash came back. i dont know, i think i will just stay off it for a while and see..." Comment #85
Lori says, "I have been on Oracea for over a month now. It has helped with the bad acne alot. I don’t seem to have any side effects and my face is clearer. I still have a “breakout” occasionally but not as severe as before. I signed up on the Oracea website and got a card that pays my insurance co-pay so, for right now, I’m not paying anything. Looks like the card expires in 2010 so we’ll see what happens then. My doctor, however, told me I’d probably be on it for years. Is that safe? I see others are only on for short periods of time. I went off to test to see if it really was helping and immediately started the severe acne again. I’m gonna take it!" Comment #83
Lori says, "...I was taking Oracea and a sulfer face wash. Well that’s all changed. I began getting a bad breakout on each cheek so I stopped using the face wash which seemed to irritate my whole face. At my next dr apt they were surprised that I was worse. So they did a biopsy and it came back Rosacea and Seborhiac (spelling?) dermatitis. Anyway, they switched me to Doryx 150 mg which is a doxy timed release like Oracea but stronger. My entire face is now clear for the first time in 8 months..." Comment #93
Trish says, "...I started oracea 2 weeks ago for allergic dermatitis with underlying rosacea. My derm said it would help as it has anti-inflammatory effect. Well at first it seemed to help with the inflammation because my scales went away. I thought it was helping with redness too but I was also taking Claritin at the same time. Well I quit taking the Claritin last Wed and now I am noticing increased redness and flushing. I quit taking the Claritin because I thought it was worsening flushing. My intern thinks its the Oracea causing the redness. She stated she has seen it with this family of antibiotics."
Candace says, "...I have used generic doxycycline twice a day for a few months. I bought the 100 mg, tablets and quartered them, taking 25 mg. morning and night. I was hoping that kept the level steadier and also below antimicrobial level. It worked just great on the papules within a couple of days, but was less effective on flushing. But I could go out in public without feeling like a freak. Now I have had to quit because I have developed an allergy to doxy! I get a few small hives, but still, not a good thing as I worry it might suddenly turn into anaphylactic shock. I am also allergic to clindamycin. I don’t know where to turn next. Tetracycline is in the same family as doxy..." Comment #112
Bob says, "...But the Oracea must be taken every day. If i miss a couple of days, i start to itch and break out...." Comment #118
Mary U says, "...I got the four-pack of Oracea last Wednesday, took the first one Thursday morning, and by Thursday afternoon, I knew a yeast infection was headed my way...." Comment #119
Elizabeth asks, "Is Oracea only meant for long-term use? If I stop taking the pills will the redness and bumps come back? My doctor prescribed Oracea for a course of 8 weeks and I’m wondering why I should bother with taking the pills if the problem is just going to come back once I stop taking them." Comment #120
liangjuany says, "...I was on doxycycline for rosacea , after ten days and it turn into a nightmare. i had rashes all over on my face, neck &body . I was then told to stop the drug..."
Cindy Gallese says, "and I don't think it's great to be on antibiotics for a long time. HOWEVER...so far the oracea isn't doing much good...."
Gary says, "I have been using Oracea for about 1.5 years with some results. Recently, I have noticed that its much less effective at keeping the papules subdued..."
Beth Adams wrote, "...I also take Periostat daily (I tried Oracea and it didn't work for me--my derm said some people do better on the Periostat because of the way it's released)...."
windsor90 says, "I have taken Oracea off and on since it went on the market a few years ago so I am very familiar with this drug. I am a fairly fit, active woman and I have a very restricted but healthy diet. There seems to be a pattern of bloating and a feeling of weight gain while taking this even though these are not side effects. When I look back in my journal, I notice that I feel "flubbery" eventually after taking Oracea for some time." 3rd June 2010, 05:40 PM
"i started taking oracea a few months ago and i have noticed a severe bloated feeling. i wasn't sure if it was just a pms thing, but i definitely know now that it's the pill. i feel like i ate a ton of salt and my body feels tight. it stinks and i'm going to ask my derm to put me back on regular doxy (don't know why she took me off in the first place!)...." dfvalent 15th June 2010, 12:49 PM
"me too! ... I'm usually 115/116, and been on and off on many antidepressants and nonce have made me gain weight as quickly as oracea. I'm averaging 2 pounds per week!... =( I'm already 122. Awwwww if only it didn't work so well for my ocular rosacea...." koki 9th July 2010, 12:31 AM
housemousebe7 say, "I have used it in the past and it never helped me with burning, tingling or flushing, only with papules."
Melissa says, "...In fact, that may be the reason oracea never worked for me (I took it in the AM with my viactiv supplement) and then my derm switched me to solodyn. Then I realized no calcium with any antibiotic and changed my calcium schedule...."
Logan Brittain says, "I have been on Oracea for nearly a year, it helps in conjuction with Finacea, but I still get cycles of breakouts and clearing..."
amordereina360 says, "...I have tried oracea and it didn't change a thing...."
camille says, "I've been on oracea for several months now. It is expensive and I dont think its done anything for my rosacea."
Jacinta says, "... I did a 2 month course on Oracea but it did nothing. I'm assuming the ineffectiveness of oracea is what lead to the doryx script. I was just prescribed the Doryx and Rosula..."
peted33 says, "... I was recently put on Oracea and have been it on for over a month. My acne has gotten really bad since being on it. I am getting pus filled pimples really bad in the same spots and now in spots I have not had acne in in years...."
beentherebefore says, "I've been on Oracea for three months. I have had no decrease in flushing or redness. It has cleared up acne on my back, but that's about it. My doctor is stopping me because it hasn't made a noticeable difference." Scroll down to post #8
snivi says, "...I have been on oracea now for about 2 1/2 weeks and as I say I see no improvement really...." Scroll down to Post #10
REDMAN1 says, "I'm really looking for something to help w/ p&p's..my derm wrote a script for oracea, but within a week of using it i broke out in p&p's..i stopped using it and in about a week or two they went away..."
roz says, "Just had a visit with my regular derm a day prior to seeing the laser derm. Though 3 weeks into Oracea....she thought I was doing worse than ever.....she wants me to take one in the morning and one in the afternoon.....doubling the dose and then we will see how things go..."
Jasmine says, "I just wanted to say that I did try Oracea about two years ago and saw no difference." by Jasmine on Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:49 am
homework says, "I have noticed that if I miss just one day of Oracea, I will get an outburst of usually one or two large pimples, which will stay with me for about 4-5 days. I've been experimenting and I can tell you for sure that (for me), Oracea must be taken everyday." by homework on Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:28 am
lauriebischof says, "I am currently on my 2nd month of Oracea and I have not seen an improvement. I'm dealing with itchy liquid filled bumps, raw redness and ocular rosacea." by lauriebischof on Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:17 am
case1953 says, "I have been on Oracea for about three years now, with good results. I have noticed that if i miss a couple of days, i will surely get a flareup." by case1953 on Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:36 am
Chantel says, "I took my Oracea around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. By about 4:30 or so, I started getting a stomach ache which lasted all evening and up into the night. I also had a little bit of burning in my throat. It wasn't unbearable, just uncomfortable, but it got me worried that I would not be able to take Oracea." by TheQueenCity on Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:18 pm • Ten days later Chantel says, "The Oracea has been ok now. It gave me an upset/acid stomach for about the first 4 days I took it. Today will be my 10th day, so hopefully I will be ok on it." by TheQueenCity on Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:40 pm • 24 days on Oracea Chantel says, "Just wanted to give everyone an update on my Oracea. I've been taking it for 24 days now and it does seem to be calming the inflammation down. I do still have some p&p's, but hopefully after a few months it will get bettet." by TheQueenCity on Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:39 pm • Chantel adds three days later, "I have been reading many posts about Oracea and read how it takes at least two full months to see a noticeable difference." by TheQueenCity on Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:18 pm
Loisanne says, "I am feeling glum now because after taking Oracea for a month, I find my red bumps coming back and just hanging around and multiplying. I take the Oracea in the middle of the afternoon on am empty stomach..." by LoisAnne on Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:31 am
niobe says, "When I first started taking the Oracea 40 mg I had no problems with it. It cleared my face pretty quickly and I was optimistic. Then I started to get flu like symptoms, ie. sore throat and a general feeling of being sick. I stopped taking it and had another flare. So back and forth I went but everytime I would take it for longer then a week the flu symptoms would return so I stopped altogether several months ago. That's when I had the worst flare I've ever had. I'm not sure if it was due to stopping the Oracea but my face hasn't been clear since then.
Well I'm back on the Oracea again and this time I'm going to try and stick it out for at least a month to see if I can get completely cleared." by niobe on Sat Aug 29, 2009 2:14 am
De says, "I was on an 8 week study for Oracea with Metrogel. Unfortunately at week 4 I developed joint pain in my right hip and I was unable to complete the study. Joint pain is a rare side affect of Oracea, so please be careful. However, I did see results." #1 De on 03.01.09 at 2:02 AM
Alexis says, "I was on 50mg of Doxy per day prior to getting final approval by Galderma for free Oracea. I've been on the Oracea for just over a month. I don't see yet that it is any better than 50mg Doxy and it might not be as effective. I think most of us in the US are aware that drug companies have a huge lobbying presence and it is Big Business. Galderma (the manufacturer) took doxy and got it into a time-released formula and added some other tiny thing to it...thus they get to Brand Name it and sell it at an outrageous price. Since I qualify for med
assistance to low income people and get it for free I can try it out. I think
someone here mentioned awhile back that one might have to be on it for a couple of months to see real improvement. All I can say is that so far I'm not impressed...50 mg of Doxy for 30 days is $4 at Target or Walmart!"!
Donna says, "I went to the Dr. when my nose kept getting red. He put me on the pill oracea and metrogel. After months of use my nose now is constantly red and is covered with pimples. I went back to the Dr. and he said to just continue what I am doing. It's been 2 more weeks and I hardly see any improvement. ..."
lindas says on 2nd February 2009, 03:53 PM, "I have been on Oracea for six months now - not really working."
Kathleen says, "...at first I took it at night but it made my stomach feel terrible the next day. Morning dose is recommended -- first thing upon awakening; eat breakfast an hour later..." #169 Kathleen on 12.20.10 at 3:47 AM
Marilyn says, "The only thing I don't like about Oracea is the nauseous feeling that comes on in the hour I have to wait before eating a meal.
cj reports, "Oracea is causing me to have gastrointestinal distress and headaches just like generic doxy....." #181 CJ on 03.30.11 at 6:08 AM
Doxycycline Reports
"Kenne in Hawaii" says, "there are subtle digestive side-effects that are annoying, and I'd like to find an anti-inflammatory substitute for doxy. Occasionally I take a "medication vacation" from the doxy, just to let my digestive system get back to normal, and to confirm that it is helping my rosacea symptoms. I am in the middle of one of those right now, and after two weeks my digestion is pretty much back to its old self, but my skin is beginning to get redder, and my eyes are really degenerating quickly...."
Shalini Aggarwal says, "Personally, I felt that even though Doxy controlled my inflammation to a great deal, in the long run it made it worse as I feel my rosacea is due to some sort of disorder in digestive tract and antibiotics supposedly creates digestive complaints in the long run...."
Lenore says, "I think of doxycycline as the morning sickness without the baby, LOL."
Tony says, "Actually, i have tried the doxycycline for about 4 weeks, it did not impove my face at all and make me uncomfortable.....about one year ago, my gp give me Doxylin, i took it about 4 weeks and during these 4 weeks i still got papule on my nose ( only on nose ). Then i got uncomfortable on my stomach. so i give up." by ts5366 on Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:54 pm • and by ts5366 on Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:10 am
yoli says, "I took Oracea for 5 months and I was already dying and i don't take it because I am afraid of it." by yoli on Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:27 pm
Melissa says, "Oracea didn't work for me so my derm put me on Solodyn (low dose timed release minocycline). That may help you even if doxycycline didn't." by melissaw on Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:45 am
five2 says, "I've been on Doxycycline for months and there has been no change in my facial and/or ocular rosacea. It did give me a yeast over-ride and now have acne and eczema..." - Scroll down to post #9
DukeCity says, "I tried 100mg. Doxy, cut in half to 50 mg. once a day, bad results. - Then tried it 50mg. in the morning and the other half (50mg) at night, but it worked very poorly too. I am now on Oracea again and am once again completely clear in 30 days. Oracea is GREAT, it has changed my life." Scroll to post #11
liangjuany says, "I was on doxycycline for rosacea , after ten days and it turn into a nightmare. i had rashes all over on my face, neck &body . I was then told to stop the drug..."
Im was prescribedm Doxycycline for bronchitis in March and I wound up in the hospital for 2 weeks with pancreatitus. I had very severe stomach pains and my Dr said he thought the doxycline caused the pancreatitus. I have never been in so much pain and thought I was dying. I had to have a central venous line put in my chest to get nutrition from TPN, antibiotics, and pain meds. I am still having stomach pains and may have to go in hospital again and put back on TPN as everytime I eat anything it causes severe pain. Also have some inflammtion still in pancreas. Liver enzymes are also high. I don't know when I will ever feel normal again. 61 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
I recently started using doxycycline for bone loss around my teeth. I have experienced a severe loss of taste. I was wondering if this is as a result of combining it with Terbinafine, which I have been taking for about 1 month. any answers will be appreciated. 61 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Doxycyclin seemed to counteract the allopurinol that I have been taking for gout. I had not had a gout flare up in more than 3 years, yet both time I used Doxycycliin, 2 months apart, I experienced a gout flare up in my foot. I don't believe it was coincidence. 70 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
My doctor prescribed this medication to treat acne ... yes, I'm serious. After 5 months, I still had acne all over my face, along with an itchy red rash around my neck. Seems I'm allergic to tetracycline-based anitbiotics. Who knew? Doryx didn't work for me so I am no longer taking it. 40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
I don' have an answer to this but I also took the medication for acne and I have not been allergic to it. but I took it for a year and now have been off of it for 3 months and my acne has stayed the same I don't belive it help me much! 21 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
mythjedi says, "If this truly works for someone, then I would be the last person on earth to suggest that they stop taking it, but in my own experience with doxycycline/antibiotics I would definitely not recommend them. I can identify with a lot of the side-effects posted in the negative comments, and even in some of the positive ones, side effects were still listed that I could identify with. Stomach problems, rashes, hives, itching, etc. Long term, I do not believe that these pills are healthy for your system. Your skin may look better for awhile, but I believe that it is actually making matters worse, because after doxycycline areas of my face that had no problem prior to taking the pill suddenly became blotchy. It's doing more damage, in my opinion. And Oracea is just a form of doxycycline masked as a "new drug". There may be subtle differences with it, but it's basically the same thing as low dose doxy to me.
diane Wickersheim says, "I too had a reaction to the doxy. It was over the summer and happened after 4 days of being on it. As soon as I went outside my skin started to burn. The sun brought out a rash on my forearm and my feet. Two very weird places. It took a very long time to get rid of the rash on my arm(in fact it still sometimes flares and will itch). They had to biopsy the welts on my toes to determine what was wrong. Its a shame because it seemed to initially help for what it was perscribed for.
"At this time, the doxycycline was discontinued in light of severe photosensitivity. He was instead prescribed oral minocycline (100 mg daily)."
alyfpet says, "Has anyone here been taking Oracea long term (ie, over a year)? I'm wondering if this is a drug that can be taken forever. Also, has anyone experienced any rebound when going off this drug? I was on it for around a year and had amazing results. I went off about 6 weeks ago, because of a "female problem" that I was having a hard time resolving, and it was thought that the Oracea might have been contributing to that problem not getting better, although I went a year with no side effects at all. Needless to say, my rosacea is horrible now that I am off it. Worse than I remember, although it could just be that I forgot how awful it was. My skin is constantly tingling and itching around my nose, and all my redness is back, including visible veins. I would go back on in a heartbeat, but I'm just starting to try to get pregnant and I can't go back on any way. UGH! I'm just curious to hear other experiences being on the drug for a while and/or coming off of it." scroll down to post #9 & post #11
snuffleupagus says, " i already went on doxy for 3 - 4 months and that it didnt help anything. Also that whats the point if i go off them and symptoms return; i cant be on antibiotics for my whole life! " First Post
French says, "I tried Rosex and the dioxcycline tablets but none of it really clears the Rosacea...." first post
liangjuany says, "I had very bad reaction after taking doxycycline for rosacea a few week ago within 10 days my face neck and chest all covered with rashes. then I was given 15 days of prednisone . the rashes fade gradually. Recently I went to the dentist to take care of biting problem. some how there are rashes appear around my mouth again. i realized that was how the redness appeared last time.. it spreaded to eyes area and then was told ìrosacea"
patty says, "As one that started out with Oracea [14 months] and now 50mg doxy for now another 14 months, I can see no difference one from the other as far as results. The difference to my wallet however, is significant." by patty on Tue May 19, 2009 1:09 pm
snuffleupagus says, "...I was on doxycycline and didn't have improvement..." scroll to Post #3
MeganOSU says, "I started taking Doryx 150mg in September....This rutine worked great for me for months until late December. I only had a pimple here and there around the time I was starting my period, which I thought to be normal. Ever since December I have constantly been breaking out. As soon as one breakout clears, another one forms. It is starting to leave scarring on my cheeks and forehead too..." Scroll to Post #4
QuestionMark says, "I have been taking Doxycycline for 6 months now for acne/rosacea and my face has slowly started to break out." March 17, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Lenore says, "I think of doxycycline as the morning sickness without the baby, LOL."
