Seth T. Miller, MD

The authors propose that moderate acne may be treated with doxycycline in subantimicrobial doses (20-mg tablets taken twice daily). This regimen was well-tolerated, moderately effective in reducing skin lesions, and did not have a detectable effect on the antibiotic resistance of skin flora.

The cost of Periostat (the only form of doxycycline 20 mg available in the US) is about $55 per month, while generic doxycycline 100 mg is about $10.¹ This study has some significant flaws, but a trial of low-dose doxycycline in an adult with acne severe enough to warrant antibiotics would still seem a reasonable, albeit expensive, option.

The authors propose that moderate acne may be treated with doxycycline in subantimicrobial doses (20-mg tablets taken twice daily). This regimen was well-tolerated, moderately effective in reducing skin lesions, and did not have a detectable effect on the antibiotic resistance of skin flora.

The cost of Periostat (the only form of doxycycline 20 mg available in the US) is about $55 per month, while generic doxycycline 100 mg is about $10.¹ This study has some significant flaws, but a trial of low-dose doxycycline in an adult with acne severe enough to warrant antibiotics would still seem a reasonable, albeit expensive, option.

The authors propose that moderate acne may be treated with doxycycline in subantimicrobial doses (20-mg tablets taken twice daily). This regimen was well-tolerated, moderately effective in reducing skin lesions, and did not have a detectable effect on the antibiotic resistance of skin flora.

The cost of Periostat (the only form of doxycycline 20 mg available in the US) is about $55 per month, while generic doxycycline 100 mg is about $10.¹ This study has some significant flaws, but a trial of low-dose doxycycline in an adult with acne severe enough to warrant antibiotics would still seem a reasonable, albeit expensive, option.