Minocycline tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

MINOCYCLINE (mi noe SYE kleen) is a tetracycline antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 8 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• bloody or watery diarrhea

• changes in vision

• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• trouble swallowing

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• decreased hearing or ringing in the ears

• diarrhea

• dizziness

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• acitretin

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antacids

• birth control pills

• certain medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin

• ergot alkaloids like dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine

• iron supplements

• isotretinoin

• methoxyflurane

• other antibiotics like penicillin

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• an unusual or allergic reaction to minocycline, tetracycline antibiotics, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Tell your doctor or health care provider right away if you have any change in your eyesight.

Birth control pills may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about using an extra method of birth control.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

If you are being treated for a sexually transmitted infection, avoid sexual contact until you have finished your treatment. Your sexual partner may also need treatment.