Lymecycline
Lymecycline 408mg antibiotic capsules to treat acne infection and inflammation - available to buy online from Dr Fox pharmacy.
Start order
Buy Lymecycline online in UK
How to order Lymecycline online for UK delivery:
- Read medical information about acne treatment
- Answer medical questions to check for eligibility
- Reviewed by doctors - posted from UK pharmacy (tracked 24hr delivery)
Prices
| Acne treatment | Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Lymecycline 408mg | 28 capsules | £13.80 |
| Lymecycline 408mg | 84 capsules | £31.00 |
Dr Fox charges a small prescription fee per order.
Prescription fees
Dr Fox supplies medicine on prescription and charges a small prescription fee based on the order value of each prescription.
Prescriptions are issued by our doctors online and sent electronically to our pharmacy.
| Order value | Prescription fee |
|---|---|
| up to £10 | £1.00 |
| up to £20 | £2.00 |
| up to £40 | £3.00 |
| over £40 | £4.00 |
If you have your own private paper prescription please post to our pharmacy (details).
Dr Fox prices are 25%–50% lower than other UK online clinics.
Delivery charges
UK delivery only: £2.90 per consultation via Royal Mail 24 Signed For (1-3 working days with tracking).
Parcel forwarding services are not permitted. Use only UK home or work delivery address.
Returns and refunds - unwanted items can be returned within 14 working days for a full refund.
About Lymecycline
- Lymecycline is a prescription-only medicine used to treat whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, and inflammation in acne.
- Take one capsule daily for 3 months.
- Read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects, cautions, and interactions with other drugs.
- Lymecycline is a tetracycline-type antibiotic manufactured by several drug companies.
- Step 4 in the Dr Fox treatment plan.
For additional information see NHS - Lymecycline.
How does lymecycline work?
Lymecycline improves acne symptoms by reducing the number of surface skin bacteria (cutibacterium acnes). The bacteria causes infection and inflammation of blocked skin pores, which leads to acne spots and pustules. Skin gels or creams (Differin, Epiduo) to reduce pore blocking should be continued alongside taking lymecycline capsules.
It can take up to 8 weeks of treatment before acne improves.
It is currently recommended that antibiotics are not used continuously to treat acne for more than 3 months at a time. Longer continuous use can lead to antibiotic resistance and reduced effectiveness. After 3 months lymecycline should be stopped. A 6 month break should be taken. It can then be restarted if acne returns.
Who is lymecycline for?
Lymecycline can be used by most people over 12 years old to treat moderate acne with blackheads, whiteheads, inflammation, infection, pustules, and cysts.
Who should not take lymecycline?
Lymecycline should not normally be taken with other antibiotics or whilst using topical acne treatments containing antibiotics, e.g. Zineryt and Duac.
Not suitable for children under 12 years, and only available from Dr Fox to over 18s.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should NOT take lymecycline.
It is also not suitable for people with a medical history of liver or kidney disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, or myasthenia gravis.
Do not take lymecycline if also taking Roaccutane (isotretinoin) or lithium.
Do not take lymecyline if there is known sensitivity to any tetracycline antibiotic.
How to take
Take one lymecycline capsule a day with a glass of water or other drink, usually in the morning. It should not be taken within 2 hours of some medicines, particularly quinapril (for high blood pressure), indigestion tablets, or tablets containing calcium, aluminium, magnesium, zinc, or iron. See the manufacturer's Lymecycline patient information leaflet for further details about other interacting medicines.
The course of treatment is 3 months followed by a 6 month break. If acne is not improving after 8 weeks consult your GP or dermatologist.
Lymecycline side effects and cautions
As with any medicine lymecycline can cause side effects, although these rarely require the capsules to be stopped.
Heartburn and indigestion can occur especially if taken at night. Some women have a flare up of thrush. Other common side effects can include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and headache. Further information on possible side effects is in the manufacturer's patient information leaflet.
Lymecycline, like other tetracyclines, can increase sensitivity to sunshine and UV light and increases the incidence of sunburn. Avoid direct sunlight and use high SPF sun cream.
Alternative acne treatments
Dr Fox suggests a stepwise treatment plan for acne. Lymecycline should be used at step 4, usually after trying direct skin treatments in the form of gels and creams (topical treatments).
Topical peeling and anti-inflammatory preparations should be continued whilst lymecycline is being taken, e.g benzoyl peroxide, Differin, or Epiduo. These work differently from antibiotics and combined therapy is more effective.
Antibiotics by mouth, such as lymecycline, may be more effective than topical antibiotic acne treatments although where topical treatments are effective, switching to oral antibiotics should not be necessary.
Other oral antibiotics are sometimes used to treat acne, including clarithromycin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim. Minocycline (another tetracycline type antibiotic) was used in the past but can cause liver damage so is now rarely prescribed.
The combined contraceptive pill can be an effective treatment for acne in women.
If acne is severe, scarring, or causing significant distress, a dermatologist may consider prescribing Roaccutane (isotretinoin) capsule treatment.
Patient Information Leaflet
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.
Lymecycline FAQs
How long should I use lymecycline for?
Lymecycline should be used for a 3 month course and then stopped for at least 6 months to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Lymecycline isn't working - what next?
If there hasn't been a good improvement after 8 weeks of lymecycline then you need to consult your GP who may offer a type of contraceptive pill for women or may refer you to a dermatologist to consider Roaccutane (isotretinoin).
What can I use on my skin whilst taking lymecycline?
You should continue to use either Differin or Epiduo on the skin, whilst taking lymecycline capsules.
See also FAQs: Acne and treatment options.
Authored 19 November 2015 by Dr B. Babor
MB ChB Dundee University 1996. NHS GP in Bristol.
Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr A. Wood, Dr P. Hunt
Last reviewed 06 October 2021
Last updated 18 October 2021
References
- Galderma, 2020, Tetralysal 300mg - SmPC, accessed 06 October 2021
- NICE, 2021, Acne vulgaris, accessed 06 October 2021
Product reviews
Lymecycline rated 4.79/5 in 52 product reviews
See over 30,000 service reviews of Dr Fox
great product
10/10/2021 00:43
Anonymous Verified
Excellent product and excellent service
17/09/2021 12:15
C. Hilton Verified
Quick delivery and skin cleared after a few weeks of taking this
29/08/2021 11:09
Anonymous Verified
This helped a lot.
19/08/2021 09:32
Anonymous Verified
Fast and effective really pleased
16/06/2021 19:58
Anonymous Verified
The order process
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