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If you suffer from acne or rosacea there are days when flare-ups can make you feel miserable and you just want to hide away from the world. The good news is that you don’t have to.
Oxytetracycline is a powerful antibiotic that can help get your skin health back on track and restore your confidence. It’s part of a group of antibiotics called tetracyclines and works by slowing the growth of the bacteria that cause breakouts and inflammation. With consistent use, it can help reduce spots, redness and flare-ups, giving your skin a clearer, calmer look over time.
It's easy to get started. Just complete a quick, online consultation. No need to leave the house or speak to someone face-to-face. If our clinical team decides it’s the right treatment for you, we’ll send it quickly and discreetly, with next day delivery available. If not, we’ll talk to you about the treatments we do recommend.
You don’t have to cope alone, real help is just a few clicks away.
Acne and rosacea can really take a toll on your confidence, but oxytetracycline can help keep things under control. It’s a broad-spectrum antibiotic that’s commonly prescribed for persistent or cystic acne and rosacea. By targeting the bacteria that cause these skin problems, it helps reduce inflammation and gives your skin the chance to heal.
Available in 250mg tablets, oxytetracycline is most often used to treat skin conditions but can also be prescribed for a range of other infections.
Oxytetracycline works by targeting the bacteria responsible for acne, stopping them from producing the proteins they need to grow and reproduce.
You take it orally and it’s absorbed into your bloodstream where it’s carried to your sebaceous glands – the tiny glands in your skin that make oil, which are mostly found on your face, back, chest, and scalp. Basically, these are the places where you’re most likely to get spots. Oxytetracycline helps reduce inflammation and prevents new acne lesions.
Food will affect how well your body absorbs oxytetracycline so you must take it on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after eating.
The recommended dose is two tablets twice a day for adults aged 18-65, and it’s recommended that you take them with a glass of water. You should also avoid drinking milk or taking any indigestion remedies for two hours before or after, and remember to space your doses evenly throughout your day.
The active ingredient in each tablet is oxytetracycline 250mg.
As with any medicine, you may experience some unwanted side effects while taking oxytetracycline. Not everyone gets them, but the most common side effects include feeling sick or suffering from an upset tummy, diarrhoea, trouble swallowing and headaches. You may also develop a rash or notice your skin is more sensitive to sunlight during treatment.
Rare side effects include allergic reactions, changes in liver or kidney function such as pain in your stomach, jaundice or difficulty passing urine, or inflammation of the pancreas (severe abdominal pain, fever, swollen stomach, nausea and vomiting).
If you experience any side effects, even ones not listed, speak to our medical team straight away.
Oxytetracycline isn’t suitable for everyone. It shouldn’t be taken if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or under 12 years old. If you have kidney or liver problems, diabetes, lupus or myasthenia gravis you should let our healthcare professionals know during your consultation.
Oxytetracycline may interact with other medications including penicillin-based antibiotics, antacids and supplements containing magnesium, iron and zinc, which can affect how well it works. Always complete the consultation fully and honestly so we can make sure it’s the right treatment for you.
Acne and rosacea can be more than just skin problems. They can knock your confidence, make you want to hide away and stop you doing the things you love. If that sounds familiar, oxytetracycline may be able to help. It’s a prescription-only antibiotic which targets the bacteria that cause breakouts and redness, reducing inflammation and helping to calm your skin.
While it’s also effective for treating other bacterial infections like respiratory, urinary tract or eye infections, it’s only available online to treat acne and rosacea. It’s especially useful for persistent cases where topical treatments just aren’t enough.
If you’ve been struggling with acne or rosacea and nothing seems to work, oxytetracycline could be a step in the right direction. A quick, online consultation will help us decide if it’s the right treatment for you so you can start feeling good in your skin again.
Oxytetracycline usually takes around four to six weeks before you start to see an improvement, so try to be patient. The best results tend to appear after 8-12 weeks of consistent use.
Even if your skin starts to look and feel better sooner you must complete the full course of treatment. If you don’t the bacteria could come back, causing further infection and you may become more resistant to future treatments.
If you have severe, persistent cystic acne our medical professionals may suggest other topical treatments to give your skin an extra boost alongside oxytetracycline.
Skin creams and gels like Acnecide, Differin, Epiduo and Skinoren are effective treatments that can soothe your skin and calm your acne or rosacea. While oxytetracycline targets the bacteria that cause inflammation and breakouts, these skin preparations can help regulate and hydrate your skin, stop clogged pores and reduce redness and irritation.
Food and milk can make oxytetracycline less effective so it’s important you take it with a glass of water on an empty stomach. Take it one hour before or two hours after eating and avoid milk products for two hours either side of your dose.
This helps the antibiotic to work properly and gives your skin the best chance to get better.
While it’s generally considered okay to take oxytetracycline with oral contraceptives there’s a small risk it could make your contraception less effective, particularly if you suffer side effects like vomiting.
To be safe, consider using additional contraception during treatment and talk to our healthcare professionals about your options during the consultation.
Acne can sometimes return after completing a course of oxytetracycline. While many people notice a long-term improvement, you may need maintenance treatment or to try a different approach such as topical steroids or hormone therapy.
Try to keep up a good skincare routine with gentle cleansing, use products specially formulated to not clog your pores and avoid harsh facial scrubs. These can all help prevent flare-ups. If your acne or rosacea does come back, speak to our healthcare team to find a treatment tailored to you.
You’ll typically take oxytetracycline for up to three months with a review by our healthcare professionals after this period. It takes time for oxytetracycline to work, around 4-6 weeks before you see improvements and 8-12 weeks for optimal results.
The time limit is important because long-term use of antibiotics can lead to resistance and make any future infections harder to treat. Keeping the treatment short protects your health and ensures the antibiotics remain effective.
You can usually drink alcohol in moderation while taking oxytetracycline, as it doesn’t affect how well the medicine works. That said, if you're experiencing side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea, alcohol could make you feel worse and might get in the way of your treatment.
Drinking heavily during the course could also put extra strain on your liver. If you’re unsure or have any concerns, it’s always best to speak to one of our clinical professionals.
You may notice your skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight during treatment, increasing your chances of sunburn. This is because oxytetracycline absorbs UV light from the sun, triggering a stronger than normal skin reaction, and you may find your skin reddens or burns more easily than usual.
Use a sunscreen with a high SPF (30 or higher), wear protective clothing and limit your sun exposure during treatment. Even on cloudy days your skin can be exposed so it’s worth taking precautions until after you’ve finished your course of antibiotics.
There isn’t really one right answer. Both medicines are tetracycline antibiotics, and both are considered equally effective in treating acne. Which one you take ultimately comes down to individual factors, side effects and dosing preferences.
Lymecycline is taken once daily and is absorbed better with food. Oxytetracycline is taken twice a day and should not be taken with food. Lymecycline may be taken for a longer period than oxytetracycline. Both cause similar side effects. Our expert team will explain which one is the best option for you.
Oxytetracycline is a prescription-only medicine, so you’ll need to complete a quick online health assessment first. It’s completely confidential, easy to fill out, and only takes a few minutes. A member of our dedicated clinical team will review your answers to make sure the treatment is safe and suitable for you.
If approved, your medication will be sent in discreet packaging, with next-day delivery available. Get the treatment you need quickly, safely and hassle-free and start enjoying the confidence of clearer skin.
We think accessing healthcare should be easy. Whether we’re fulfilling NHS prescriptions or helping people find the right treatments, we aim to offer our customers dependable, economical and convenient access to medicines with a personal and discreet service.
Visit our Acne page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
