While using Tetracycline Why do doctors/pharmacists say "It'll take about a month before you see improvement"

Question

While taking Minocycline or tetracycline many doctors will say "it will take a month" before you notice improvement. Why is this? A biochemistry answer would be greatly appreciated, as would any other.

Answer 1

If you are taking it for acne ... it's because the existing lesions have to heal, inflammation go away, and skin discoloration fade  to normal while the antibiotic suppresses new lesions.  It has to do with the relatively slow rate of growth of the bacteria - they are only suceptible to the tetracycline at certain stages.

Also, because the acne patients are usually impatient ... if they don't have perfect skin by the next mporning they are disappointed. By saying 1 month, when improvement becomes obvious in a couple of weeks the patient is really happy.

Answer 2

Yep - what he said...