Why is this medicine prescribed?
Minocycline is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and certain other infections spread by ticks, lice, mites, and infected animals. It is also used to treat acne and rosacea (a skin disease that causes redness, flushing, and pimples on the face). Minocycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat infections by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It works to treat acne and rosacea by killing the bacteria that infects pores and by lowering the amount of oil on your skin that can cause acne.
Antibiotics such as minocycline will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Are there other uses for this medicine?
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Minocycline comes as a capsule, a tablet, an extended-release tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. Take the capsules and tablets twice a day (every 12 hours) or four times a day (every 6 hours), with or without food. Take the extended-release tablets and extended-release capsules with or without food once a day. Taking them with food can help lower your chances of getting throat irritation or sores in your esophagus. Drink a full glass of water with each dose.
Take minocycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the capsules, tablets, extended-release capsules, and extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Continue to take minocycline even if you feel well. Take all the medication until you are finished, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking minocycline,
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
- you should know some medications should not be taken with minocycline. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with minocycline. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting minocycline with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking minocycline, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
- if you are taking antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, calcium supplements, or laxatives containing magnesium, take them 1 or 2 hours before or after taking minocycline. If you are taking iron preparations and vitamin products that contain iron, take them 3 hours before or 2 hours after minocycline.
- you should know that minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, and injections). You will need to use another method of contraception to prevent pregnancy while taking minocycline. Talk to your doctor about other ways to prevent pregnancy while you are taking this medication
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, lupus (condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues and organs including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys), intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high pressure in the skull that may cause headaches, blurry or double vision, vision loss, and other symptoms), vision problems, or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking minocycline, call your doctor immediately. Minocycline can harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your doctor may tell you not to breastfeed during your treatment with minocycline.
- you should know that minocycline may make you lightheaded or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Minocycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
- you should know that when minocycline is used during pregnancy or in babies and children under 8 years old, it can permanently stain teeth and affect bone growth. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking minocycline.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What should I do in case of overdose?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- dizziness
- nausea, vomiting
What side effects can this medicine cause?
Minocycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- heartburn
- itching of the rectum or vagina
- changes in color of skin, scars, nails, teeth or gums
- changes in color of tears or urine
- ringing in your ears
- hair loss
- dry mouth; swollen tongue; sore or irritated throat
- inflammation of the end of the penis
- muscle pain
- mood changes
- numbness, tingling, or prickling sensation on skin
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- headache
- blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision
- peeling or blistering skin
- rash, hives; swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes; difficulty breathing or swallowing; shortness of breath
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, dark-colored urine, light colored bowel movements, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, extreme tiredness, nausea, or vomiting, confusion
- bloody urine; unusual bleeding or bruising
- joint pain, stiffness or swelling
- swollen lymph nodes
- decreased urination
- a return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
- seizures
- chest pain or irregular heartbeat
Minocycline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from light, excess heat, and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information. Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.orgWhat other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to minocycline.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking minocycline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the minocycline, call your doctor.
Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.