Six months antibiotics for acne?

[SteffiM]

The doctor suggested that for my brother in law who we are currently looking after. He is fifteen and his acne is getting him down.

Does anyone have experiences with this?

[amo]

I did a three month round of antibiotics, and it worked for me. My acne was definately the result of internal issues. The antibiotics got my skin to the point where I could then address it topically. It's great for me to know that if it comes back, I have something that works for me. Acne is so different for everybody, and I assume that if his acne improves sooner than 6 months, the Dr. will take him off the antibiotics. That is a long time, I think.

[SteffiM]

Oh thanks for that. We'll ask for the three month course first then.

[aussie_jono]

Very bad idea, for him and society... he will be colonised with multiple resistent germs at the end of the course, and society will suffer due to an increase in the pool of antibiotic resistant bacteria.

Very few derms in Australia use antibiotics in acne, benzoyl peroxide, teretinoin (Retin A) and Roacutane are the mainstays here

[SteffiM]

He does use all them. Don't work. He never had antibiotics for anything, so resistance is unlikely first-time, right? Especially if the acne contributes to insecurity?