Compare Renova vs. Tetracycline
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats acne and sun damage.
Renova (Tretinoin) isn't a cure for fine lines and wrinkles, but it's clinically proven to improve them.
●●●●●
3.1/ 5 average rating with 58 reviewsforRenova
Kills bacteria and treats acne.
Acnecycline (Tetracycline) treats many different types of infections and is cheap, but dosing and drug interactions may be somewhat of a hassle.
●●●●●
3.3/ 5 average rating with 153 reviewsforTetracycline
Upsides
- You only need to apply it once a day, usually in the evening.
- Most people who reported having skin irritation said that it was mild.
- Part of a complete program to help you take better care of your skin.
- Effectively treats a wide range of conditions and is used for many different types of infections.
- Effective for acne.
- Cheap.
- Good choice for people on kidney dialysis who need an antibiotic. Tetracycline isn't removed by dialysis, so the dose doesn't need to be changed.
Downsides
- It may take up to 6 months to see the full benefit for facial wrinkles.
- Not a good choice for women who want to become or are pregnant
- Can change the color and texture of your skin if used long-term.
- You need to be careful about avoiding any sunlight or artificial tanning while using it.
- It doesn't work for deep wrinkles.
- For most infections you'll need to take it 4 times a day (or every 6 hours).
- It needs to be spaced out from food, milk, vitamins, and some medications.
- Can cause tongue darkening, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Tetracycline makes your skin more sensitive to the sun and ultraviolet light. Wear sunblock and protective clothing, and don't go tanning.
- Interacts with birth control and makes it less effective. Use a backup form of birth control if you don't want to get pregnant.
- Not a good choice for children ages 8 and under. Tetracycline can cause permanent staining of teeth in babies and young children.
Used for
- Acne
- Skin infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Atypical Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infection
- Listeriosis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Urethritis
- H. pylori gastrointestinal tract infection
- Periodontitis
- Amebic infection
- Actinomycotic infection if penicillin-allergic
- Anthrax if penicillin-allergic
- Syphilis if penicillin-allergic
- C. difficile injection if penicillin-allergic
- Bartonellosis
- Brucellosis
- Chancroid
- Cholera
- Plague
- Psittacosis
- Relapsing fever
- Shigellosis
- Trachoma
- Tularemia
- Vincent's infection
- Yaws
- Rosacea
- Lyme disease prevention
- Dientamoeba fragilis infection
- Glanders
- Ehrlichiosis
Dosage forms
- Cream, gel, or ointment
- Pill
- Cream, gel, or ointment
Price
Lowest price
$67.83
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$144.79
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
58 reviews so far
41%
saidit'sworth it
28%
saiditworked well
28%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Renova (Tretinoin)?
Leave a review153 reviews so far
45%
saidit'sworth it
29%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Acnecycline (Tetracycline)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
4possible side effects
- Mild skin reactions100%
- Severe local irritation7%
- Any side effect4%
- Skin hypo- or hyperpigmentation2%
The Acnecycline (Tetracycline) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Skin irritation
- Using other medicines or products that irritate the skin
- Eczema
- Extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
- Sun sensitivity
- Allergic reactions
- Allergy to fish or fish products
- Harm to fetus
- Changes in teeth
- Pregnancy
- Age younger than 8 years
- Reduced effectiveness of birth control pills
- Decreased kidney function and kidney injury
- Kidney disease
- Taking Acnecycline (Tetracycline) past the expiration date
- Sunburn
- Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light
- Harm to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Increased pressure in the brain
- Taking with Acnecycline (Tetracycline) with other medicines that can cause this effect (e.g. Accutane)
- Liver injury
- Kidney disease
- Large doses of Acnecycline (Tetracycline)
- Development of more serious infections
- Long-term use of Acnecycline (Tetracycline)