Minocin (Minocycline)

In general, you should take MINOCIN with a full glass of water, on an empty stomach, or one hour before (or two hours after) eating.

If you are taking extended-release forms of MINOCIN, it is important that you never crush or chew the tablets.

For acne: The typical dose of MINOCIN tablets range between 50 mg to 100 mg, twice a day.

Extended release forms of MINOCIN, like Solodyn, are usually dosed by weight.

For gonorrhea (with no complications): 200 mg per day

For chlamydia: 100 mg every 12 hours, for a minimum of one week

Meningococcal (asymptomatic) carrier state: 100 mg every 12 hours

Always finish the entire prescription, even if your symptoms improve and you start to feel better.

Otherwise, if you stop taking the medication before you have finished it all, there is a possibility that the infection may not have completed cleared up and can come back. If this happens, the infection may be more difficult to treat.

MINOCIN Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Missed Dose of MINOCIN

If you miss a dose of MINOCIN, try to take it as soon as you remember.

However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Don't double up to make up for a missed dose.

Common Side Effects of MINOCIN

• Loss of balance
• Tiredness
• Sleepiness
• Hair loss
• Itching
• Red skin rash

Serious Side Effects of MINOCIN

• Inflammation of the lining surrounding the heart (pericarditis)
• Various thyroid conditions including thyroid cancer, dysfunction, and discolorations
• Swelling of the lips, mouth, and tongue (angioedema)
• Hives
• Swelling and/or inflammation of the vulva and vagina in women
• Liver inflammation and various liver disorders such as jaundice (a yellowing of the skin, nails, and whites of the eyes)
• Low platelet count
• Low blood cell levels
• Low white blood cell count
• Severe and potentially life-threatening skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

Rare Side Effects

MINOCIN may cause some unpredictable side effects, including discoloration of nails, mucous membranes, and the thyroid gland.

If you are allergic to MINOCIN or any of its inactive ingredients, you should not take MINOCIN.

Talk to your doctor before taking MINOCIN if you have the following conditions:

• Lupus
• Kidney problems
• Liver problems

MINOCIN and other antibiotics belonging to the tetracycline class can cause your child's teeth to darken if taken during pregnancy or given to children under the age of 8.

Pregnancy and MINOCIN

It's not recommended that pregnant women take this medication.

MINOCIN is an FDA Pregnancy Category D drug, which means it could harm the fetus and should only be taken if there are no other safer options.

Whether MINOCIN is safe for breastfeeding mothers remains controversial: Some experts feel that, because calcium binds with tetracycline antibiotics, MINOCIN is thought to be safe for breastfeeding mothers to take. Other experts advise against taking MINOCIN while breastfeeding.

Regardless, you should always tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed before taking MINOCIN.

It is always important to share with your doctor and pharmacist all prescription, non-prescription, illegal, recreational, herbal, nutritional, or dietary drugs you're taking.

You should not take MINOCIN if you are taking

• Soriatane (acitretin)
• Theracrys (BCG live intravesical)

Major drug interactions with MINOCIN include:

• Penicillin antibiotics like ampicillin, Bicillin L-A or Bicillin C-R (penicillin G), and penicillin VK
• Nerve-blocking drugs like atracurium, Nimbex (cisatracurium), rocuronium, and vecuronium
• Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate)
• Retinoid-containing products used to treat skin condition like acne or wrinkles like Retin-A or Claravis (isotretinoin), Atralin, Aita, Trentin-X (tretinoin), or Panretin (alitretinoin)
• Drugs containing magnesium like laxatives containing magnesium and magnesium found in heartburn medications like Pepcid
• Cephalosporin antibiotics like Omnicef (cefdinir), Spectracef (cefditoren), Ceftin or Kefuroxime (cefuroxime)
• Estrogen-containing products like birth control and hormone replacement therapy
• Vivotif (typhoid vaccine live)
• Tobi Podhaler (tobramycin inhaler only)

MINOCIN and Birth Control

MINOCIN can make your birth control less effective, so if you are taking birth control, talk to your doctor before you begin taking MINOCIN.

And consider using a back-up form of contraception, just to be safe.

MINOCIN and Alcohol

You should avoid or limit drinking while taking MINOCIN.

MINOCIN and Grapefruit Juice

It is not quite clear as to whether MINOCIN interacts with grapefruit juice, so to be safe, avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking MINOCIN.