Minocycline

Minocycline comes as a capsule, a pellet-filled capsule, a tablet, an extended-release tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The capsules, pellet-filled capsules, and tablets are usually taken twice a day (every 12 hours) or four times a day (every 6 hours), with or without food. To treat acne, the extended-release tablets are usually taken with or without food once a day for 12 weeks. To treat rosacea, the extended-release capsules are usually taken with or without food once a day. Drink a full glass of water with each dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. 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, pellet-filled 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.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking minocycline,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to minocycline, tetracycline, doxycycline, demeclocycline, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in minocycline capsules, pellet-filled capsules, tablets, extended-release capsules, or extended-release tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking minocycline. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• be aware that antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, calcium supplements, iron products, and laxatives containing magnesium interfere with minocycline, making it less effective. 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 many 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.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking minocycline.
• you should know that when minocycline is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to age 8, it can cause the teeth to become permanently stained and can cause problems with bone growth. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medication.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

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.

Minocycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea
• vomiting
• heartburn
• diarrhea
• 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
• rash
• hives
• peeling or blistering skin
• 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
• joint pain, stiffness or swelling
• swollen lymph nodes
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• 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).

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).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

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

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.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.