Doryx to Oracea transition -- any success stories?

[prjh]

Hi,

Just checking in to see if anyone has had success transitioning from Doryx to Oracea. My doctor prescribed me Doryx (for 60 days) in November and I noticed significant improvement after about two weeks of taking 150mg once a day. I had no outbreaks in the subsequent six weeks, in addition to taking the Doryx I was using Metrogel .75% (works better for me than the 1%).

I had to reschedule my check-up with the doctor and ran out of Doryx - he would not prescribe me a refill until I came in to see him. Within a week and a half I was back to my normal cycle of outbreaks that occur every 6-8 days. He gave me 30 days of Doryx when I went back and he wants to transistion me to Oracea. Two weeks into the Doryx and I am again breakout free -- my concern is that the Oracea will not maintain this as he hopes it will. I was on Oracea about two years ago and it did nothing for me.

The doctor's theory is that maybe the Oracea will work if started while the rosacia is under control. Anybody out there have experience with this Doryx to Oracea transition?

Thanks.

[Brady Barrows]

These are the ones I have collected that connect Oracea and Doryx but show that they go back to Doryx. However I did find this one for you:

DukeCity says, "I tried 100mg. Doxy, cut in half to 50 mg. once a day, bad results. - Then tried it 50mg. in the morning and the other half (50mg) at night, but it worked very poorly too. I am now on Oracea again and am once again completely clear in 30 days. Oracea is GREAT, it has changed my life." Scroll to post #11

Here are some more posts to check:

Loretta says, "I tried Oracea and a sulfur wash which helped at first but then began to irritate....At my next dr apt. they were surprised that things weren’t improving and switched me to Doryx and Finacea." Scroll down to post #68

Lori says, "I tried Oracea for awhile. It worked great at first with no side effects and then my acne rosacea came back with a vengeance. I am now on Doryx tablets 150 mg (timed release), and my face is completely clear." Scroll down to post #84

Lori says, "...I was taking Oracea and a sulfer face wash. Well that’s all changed. I began getting a bad breakout on each cheek so I stopped using the face wash which seemed to irritate my whole face. At my next dr apt they were surprised that I was worse. So they did a biopsy and it came back Rosacea and Seborhiac (spelling?) dermatitis. Anyway, they switched me to Doryx 150 mg which is a doxy timed release like Oracea but stronger. My entire face is now clear for the first time in 8 months..." Comment #93

Jacinta says, "... I did a 2 month course on Oracea but it did nothing. I'm assuming the ineffectiveness of oracea is what lead to the doryx script. I was just prescribed the Doryx and Rosula..."

So far these are the only ones I have collected linking Oracea / Doryx. Maybe you will get some more by your creating this thread with your question. I think that this is such an individual thing that you will simply have to to try Oracea to see the results again. If it doesn't work then you can always ask your dermatologist to go back to the Doryx. What I have collected together is that many report that when they go off Oracea or any other doxycycline their rosacea comes back, sometimes with a vengeance. A few report that they are able to control their rosacea without going back to doxycycline. For instance, Dave Pascoe reports that "My doxycycline usage is all in the past tense, so no, I no longer take it. I would imagine that most rosacea sufferers want to wean off systemic antibiotics at some stage." Scroll down to Post #129

[prjh]

Brady, thanks for the info. I was surprised at how well the Doryx worked for me, I have about two weeks left on it and then will make the switch to Oracea. I'm hoping that the Oracea will work since I will be starting it will a clear face...just need it to maintain.

I will update this post in about a month for anyone interested -- after I am off the Doryx for two weeks and on the Oracea...fingers crossed.

[MeganOSU]

I started taking Doryx 150mg in September alone w Finacea 15% in the morning and Differin 0.1% at night as told by my dermatologist. I was also told I have mild rosacea (my grandma and mom do too.. It runs in the family), and that these meds would help. This rutine worked great for me for months until late December. I only had a pimple here and there around the time I was starting my period, which I thought to be normal. Ever since December I have constantly been breaking out. As soon as one breakout clears, another one forms. It is starting to leave scarring on my cheeks and forehead too I am on birth control.. Isn't that supposed to help with acne too? Well anyways.. The pills and creams do not work anymore I am away at college and so it is hard for me to go see a doctor. Spring break is coming and I am planning on going to see another dermatologist due to switched insurances (we not have Kaiser). I have currently used up all my acne medication as well, so I will not be taking any for the next couple weeks until I can go see a dermatologist. My roommate takes Minocycline 50mg.. Is there anything anyone can tell me about any meds that I can suggest to my doctor?

Thank you.

[prjh]

I've been off the Doryx now for nearly two weeks and transitioned straight to Oracea. It seems to be working for me. I also use Metrogrel .75% (generic) mornings and nights. The Oracea did not work for me when I first tried it two years ago, but that was without using the Doryx first. These are the only meds that I have been on.