Uses

Minocycline is used to treat a wide variety of infections. It may also be used along with other medications to treat severe acne. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as tetracycline antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.

How To Use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking minocycline and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication is best taken on an empty stomach. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces/240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise. If stomach upset occurs, taking it with food or milk may help. However, minocycline may not work as well if you take it with food or milk, so ask your doctor or pharmacist if you may take it that way. If you are taking the capsules, swallow them whole. Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this medication. For this reason, do not take it right before bedtime.

Take this medication 2 to 3 hours before or after taking any products containing aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc. Some examples include antacids, didanosine solution, quinapril, vitamins/minerals, dairy products (such as milk, yogurt), and calcium-enriched juice. These products bind with minocycline, preventing your body from fully absorbing the drug.

The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take this medication at the same times every day.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may result in a return of the infection.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness, or a feeling of spinning may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• painful/difficult swallowing
• hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears, decreased hearing)
• joint stiffness/pain/swelling
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine, pink urine)
• signs of liver problems (such as loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
• yellow-gray-brown tooth discoloration
• blue-gray skin/tongue/lips/gums

Minocycline may rarely cause increased pressure around the brain (intracranial hypertension-IH). The risk of this side effect is greater for women of childbearing age who are overweight or who have had IH in the past. If IH develops, it usually goes away after minocycline is stopped; however, there is a chance of permanent vision loss or blindness. Get medical help right away if you have:

• severe/lasting headache
• vision changes (such as blurred/double vision, decreased vision, sudden blindness)
• nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in oral thrush or a new yeast infection. Contact your doctor if you notice white patches in your mouth, a change in vaginal discharge, or other new symptoms.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever that doesn't go away
• new or worsening lymph node swelling
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

See also Side Effects section.

Before taking minocycline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other tetracyclines (such as doxycycline); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• kidney problems
• liver problems
• trouble swallowing
• esophagus problems (such as hiatal hernia or reflux/heartburn)

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

Minocycline may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using minocycline before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Children younger than 8 years may be more sensitive to the side effects of minocycline, especially tooth discoloration. Tooth discoloration has also occurred in older children and in young adults. Discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with the doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using minocycline. Minocycline may harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

See also How to Use section.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug are:

• retinoid medications taken by mouth (such as acitretin, isotretinoin)
• strontium

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine catecholamine levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless your doctor tells you to.

If you are taking this medication for a longer time, lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, kidney/liver function) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Taking expired minocycline can cause serious illness. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.