Minocycline

Drug Uses

Minocycline is used for treatment of  certain infections. It may also be used with other medicines to treat severe acne, or for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to use

Use Minocycline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Some brands of Minocycline may be taken with food. Others should be taken on an empty stomach. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about how to take your brand of Minocycline.

Some brands of Minocycline must be swallowed whole. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your medicine is a brand that must be swallowed whole.

Take Minocycline by mouth with or without food.

Take Minocycline with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Minocycline.

If you also take bismuth salts (eg, bismuth subsalicylate), calcium salts (eg, calcium carbonate), colestipol, iron salts (eg, iron sulfate), magnesium, urinary alkalinizers (eg, daily antacids), sucralfate, vitamins/minerals, quinapril, didanosine, or zinc salts (eg, zinc sulfate), do not take them within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Minocycline. Check with your doctor if you have questions.

To clear up your infection completely, take Minocycline for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

Minocycline works best if it is taken at the same time each day.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of certain bacteria and allowing the body's immune system to kill them.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Minocycline, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Minocycline at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Minocycline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Minocycline if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Minocycline;
you are taking acitretin, an aluminum salt (e.g., aluminum carbonate), isotretinoin, methoxyflurane, or a penicillin.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Minocycline. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have kidney problems
if you have an autoimmune disorder (eg, lupus)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Minocycline. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Aluminum salts (eg, aluminum carbonate) or cimetidine because they may decrease Minocycline's effectiveness
Acitretin, anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), digoxin, ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), insulin, isotretinoin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or theophyllines because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Minocycline
 Live oral typhoid vaccine, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins because their effectiveness may be decreased by Minocycline.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

dizziness; drowsiness; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; blurred vision; bulging soft spots in infants; fever; headache; increased pressure in the head; inflammation of the pancreas (increased pulse, nausea, stomach tenderness, vomiting); joint pain; muscle pain or weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe skin reaction to the sun; stomach pain/cramps; trouble swallowing; unusual tiredness or weakness; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

If you have any questions about Minocycline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Minocycline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.