Uses of Minocycline

Minocycline is used to treat certain forms of bacterial infections. It also helps in the treatment of meningitis carriers and used in the prevention of infections before and after an operation. It is used in adults and children above 9 years of age to treat pimples and red bumps (non-nodular inflammatory lesions) associated with moderate to severe acne vulgaris.

Therapeutic Category

Minocycline: Antibiotics

How Minocycline works

Minocycline blocks the protein production of bacteria by binding to its ribosomal units. It leads to the prevention of the growth and development of bacteria that causes the death of bacteria and reduction in inflammation.

Common side effects of Minocycline

• Headache
• dizziness
  

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor if you experience:

• severe headaches
• eye problems such as blurred or double vision, loss of vision
• serious kidney problems
• skin problems such as the occurrence of purple painful lumps on the skin (erythema nodosum), patches of dark skin colour, burning, tingling or redness of the skin after exposure to direct or artificial sunlight
• inflammation is seen in various parts such as the liver, blood vessels, tongue, vagina or mouth, and intestines which causes severe nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps or diarrhoea and itching of the anus. These are indicative of the growth of tetracycline-resistance bacteria
• recurrent and frequent infections causing fever, chest infections, severe chills, or mouth ulcers
• dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, and stomach pain. These are indications of serious liver problems
• fatigue, chest pain or pressure and shortness of breath during exercise are signs of inflamed heart muscles (myocarditis)
• sudden sharp chest pain which aggravates by deep breathing or coughing. These are signs of inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis)
• muscle pain
• inflammation, pain, swelling or stiffness of joints with fever
• tiredness, weakness, or pale skin
• breathing problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath at rest, coughing with chest tightness or worsening of asthma
• stomach cramps, watery diarrhoea might be with blood, loss of appetite, and feeling sick (nausea or being sick)
• fits
• changes in the level of blood cells (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms – DRESS)
• Rashes in the body with skin peeling and itching
• Headache, blurred vision, double vision and vision loss, swollen papilla (signs of intracranial hypertension)
• Sunburn
• Hyperpigmentation and skin dryness

Health Tips for Minocycline

• Take Minocycline exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Follow the recommended dosage and complete the full course of treatment
• Minocycline can sometimes cause gastrointestinal upset, so it may be helpful to take it with food or milk to minimize stomach irritation
• Inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking
• Minocycline is not recommended for use in pregnant and breast feeding women