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.
| Treatment | Dr Fox* | Pharmacy2U | Simple Online Pharmacy | Oxford Online Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lymecycline 408mg x 28 | £13.80 | £18.00 | £14.50 | £14.49 |
| Lymecycline 408mg x 84 | £31.00 | £45.00 | n/a | £32.99 |
| UK delivery | £2.90 | £3.45 | £3.20 | £4.99 |
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 Tracked 24 Signed For (1-2 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.
- A topical treatment such as Differin, Epiduo, or benzoyl peroxide should be used alongside lymecycline to reduce antibiotic resistance.
- 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 cause 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 oral antibiotics are not used continuously to treat acne for more than 6 months at a time. Longer continuous use can lead to antibiotic resistance and reduced effectiveness. After 3-6 months lymecycline should be stopped. A 3 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 lymecycline 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, or up to 6 months if acne has not completely cleared, followed by a 3 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 and reduces the development of antibiotic resistance.
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 3 months continuing to 6 months if the acne has not completely cleared. It should then be stopped for at least 3 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
NHS GP & dermatology specialist. MB ChB Dundee University 1996. GMC no. 4336464
Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr A. Wood
Last reviewed 02 March 2023
Last updated 30 November 2023
References
- Galderma, 2020, Tetralysal 300mg - SmPC, accessed 06 October 2021
- NICE, 2021, Acne vulgaris, accessed 06 October 2021
Recent Lymecycline reviews
Lymecycline rated 4.84/5 in 67 product reviews
See over 40,000 service reviews of Dr Fox
Excellent product and customer service
04/11/2023 14:00
Anonymous Verified
Work really well & have reordered
13/09/2023 19:24
Anonymous Verified
Brilliant, keeps my acne in control
19/05/2023 17:57
Anonymous Verified
has really shown such an improvement already .
08/01/2023 09:41
Anonymous Verified
Cleared my acne up after a week of using it.
13/07/2022 08:29
E. Smith Verified
The order process
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