[posted 06/17/2000]
Question: I am allergic to minocycline and erthromycin. I went to a dermatologist re: my acne-rosacea, but question what he told me and would like your opinion: He said basic tetracycline is very weak in treating acne-rosacea and Doxycycline isn't effective at all. Is this true?? I've taken doxycycline for quite a while and it has helped somewhat, plus I read that it is in fact used for acne.

He then prescribed Ampicillin (500mg/2 per day). I'm very hesitant to try it because I have hayfever and read that can cause a reaction to penicillin. Plus I had colitis 2 yrs ago and read that penicillin can cause that. And, I haven't seen anywhere that ampicillin is indicated as a treatment for acne.

Lots of questions and concerns I know, but could you please take the time to address them all? Thank you

Answer: The usual first treatment is topical metroniadazole gel(flagyl) The other antibiotics are used systemically if this fails and you are not allergic to it.

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