Lymecycline is a prescription-only tetracycline oral antibiotic that is used to treat moderate to severe acne by reducing bacteria and inflammation. It is available as a capsule and taken once daily. Lymecycline capsules contain 408mg of lymecycline and are paired with topical treatments that are applied directly to the skin.

Lymecycline is an antibiotic which works by killing bacteria, such as Cutibacterium acnes. It does this by preventing them from making the proteins they need to survive, and helps to reduce inflammation, lower bacteria levels on the skin, and unblock clogged pores.

How long does lymecycline work?

Once you start lymecycline for acne, you should notice an improvement in your skin after 1 week, but it can take several weeks for your skin to become fully clear.

Lymecycline capsules are swallowed whole with a full glass of water while sitting or standing. This stops them from becoming stuck in your throat and causing irritation. Lymecycline capsules can be taken with or without food, but you are less likely to feel sick if you take them with food. It is best to take them in the morning.

How long can you take lymecycline for?

You should continue taking the lymecycline tablets for as long as your doctor tells you to, even if your skin looks clearer. You can be prescribed lymecycline for acne for 3 to 6 months.

Lymecycline for acne is a prescription-only medication, which means you must have a doctor’s approval before you can get it. Once approved, you can get lymecycline capsules from trusted online doctor services and from the NHS.

Can I buy lymecycline online?

Yes, you can buy lymecycline from Superdrug Online Doctor once your request has been approved by a doctor. We can prescribe lymecycline with Skinoren cream or Epiduo gel.

To order lymecycline from us, you need to:

1. Fill out a short online health questionnaire and upload 2 photos for our doctors to review.
2. Select your preferred acne treatment and make a payment.
3. Once approved, we will send the lymecycline capsules to your preferred address, or you can choose to collect them from your local Superdrug Pharmacy.

Requesting lymecycline acne capsules from us is quick and easy. There’s no need for a face-to-face appointment, and we can deliver your treatment to your home address.

Can I buy lymecycline over the counter?

No, to buy lymecycline capsules, you must have a prescription from a doctor, so you cannot get them over the counter.

Can I get lymecycline on the NHS?

Yes, lymecycline capsules are available on the NHS for acne, but you will need to make an appointment with your regular GP to find out if it is suitable for you.

Like all medications, lymecycline can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common lymecycline side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, include:

• feeling sick
• stomach pain
• diarrhoea
• headache

A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

What to do if you get lymecycline side effects

Most lymecycline side effects are mild and go away once your body gets used to the medication, but there are things you can do to make them easier to manage, such as:

• headaches – get plenty of rest, drink water to stay hydrated, and take over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen
• feeling sick – take lymecycline with food to see if that helps, avoid rich and spicy foods, and eat smaller, more frequent meals
• stomach pain – get some rest, apply a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach, and speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the pain is severe
• diarrhoea – you should drink plenty of water to stop you becoming dehydrated, and speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any anti-diarrhoea medications

If you take the contraceptive pill and have severe diarrhoea that lasts more than 24 hours, your pill may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet to find out what you should do.

If you get any of the following severe side effects, stop taking lymecycline and call a doctor or 111:

• dark pee or the whites of your eyes or skin turn yellow
• your skin becomes very sensitive to the sun

Rarely, lymecycline capsules can cause a serious allergic reaction. If you get any of the following symptoms, stop taking lymecycline and call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue become swollen
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• skin, tongue, or lips turn blue, grey, or pale
• confusion, drowsiness, or dizziness
• swollen, raised, itchy, blistered, or peeling skin

Lymecycline is not suitable for everyone. Do not take it if you:

• are allergic to lymecycline or any other tetracycline antibiotics, like doxycycline, or any other listed ingredients
• are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant

Before taking lymecycline capsules, tell your doctor if you have:

• liver failure or kidney issues
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Myasthenia Gravis

Other medications and lymecycline

Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications before starting lymecycline for acne, especially:

• blood thinners, like warfarin
• diuretics
• epilepsy medications
• other acne treatments
• lithium
• other antibiotics, including penicillin
• antacids containing aluminium, calcium, magnesium or iron salts
• oral retinoids
• methoxyflurane

You should leave at least 2 hours after taking lymecycline before taking:

• indigestion remedies
• ulcer healing medications
• calcium, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, or iron supplements

There are several acne treatments available, ranging from alternative oral antibiotics to over-the-counter gels and prescription strength gels and lotions. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, our doctors can recommend an acne treatment based on your symptoms.

Oral antibiotics

As well as lymecycline, doxycycline and oxytetracycline can be prescribed for moderate to severe cases of acne. They are also prescribed alongside topical benzoyl peroxide and retinoids like tretinoin to prevent antibiotic resistance.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is usually prescribed for moderate to severe inflammatory acne. It works by targeting C. acnes, the bacteria that can cause acne and inflammation. It can take up to several months to notice the full benefits of doxycycline for acne.

A Superdrug Online Doctor, we can offer the following doxycycline treatments for acne:

• Doxycycline + Skinoren 20% cream
• Doxycycline 100mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%

Oxytetracycline

Oxytetracycline is a prescription-only antibiotic that is given twice a day to treat acne. Like lymecycline and doxycycline, oxytetracycline belongs to the same group of antibiotics called tetracyclines, so it works in a similar way to stop the acne-causing bacteria from producing the proteins they need to survive. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can provide oxytetracycline 250mg + Epiduo gel 0.1%.

Topical acne treatments

If antibiotics aren't for you, several topical acne treatments are available. They work by increasing skin cell turnover, reducing bacteria, and lowering inflammation to improve your skin's appearance.

At Superdrug Online Doctor, we can prescribe the following topical acne treatments:

• Acnecide 5% gel
• Aknemycin Plus Clindamycin 1% + benzoyl peroxide 5% gel – a prescription topical acne treatment that contains clindamycin, an antibiotic, and benzoyl peroxide that's applied once daily to the affected area
• Differin cream
• Differin gel
• Epiduo Forte gel
• Epiduo gel – a less concentrated version of Epiduo Forte, which contains 0.1% adapalene and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide
• Finacea gel
• Skinoren cream
• Treclin gel
• Zineryt solution

Does lymecycline cure acne permanently?

No, lymecycline does not cure acne permanently. Instead, it is an antibiotic used to manage and improve acne symptoms by reducing bacteria and inflammation on the skin that can cause acne. Lymecycline is effective for moderate to severe acne and usually needs to be taken for 3 to 6 months, but acne can return once treatment ends.

Can I use lymecycline every day?

Yes, lymecycline for acne is usually taken once a day everyday for up to 6 months. Consistently taking it is important for clearer skin.

Does lymecycline cause weight gain?

No, lymecycline is not known to cause weight gain. Common side effects include feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and headaches, rather than weight changes.

Does lymecycline cause purging?

No, lymecycline is unlikely to cause worsening acne, known as purging, because it works by reducing bacteria and inflammation rather than increasing skin cell turnover. However, if you are taking lymecycline capsules alongside a topical acne treatment, the cream, gel, or solution you are using may cause purging.

Does lymecycline cause dry skin?

Yes, you may notice that you have dry skin when using lymecycline for acne. This is usually a temporary effect as the inflammation of your skin reduces, which can lead to dryness or flaky skin in the early part of treatment. You can use a gentle moisturiser to help.

Is lymecycline an antibiotic?

Yes, lymecycline is an antibiotic. It belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics and is used to treat moderate to severe acne.

Can lymecycline make acne worse?

It is rare for lymecycline to make acne worse because it works by reducing the bacteria on the skin rather than increasing skin cell turnover. If you feel like your acne is getting worse, speak to your doctor for more advice.

Can lymecycline cause hair loss?

No, there is no link between lymecycline and hair loss. It is not listed in the common lymecycline side effects. Although some antibiotics can cause temporary thinning, hair loss is not a direct effect of lymecycline.