Minocycline

Minocycline is an antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including acne, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and certain sexually transmitted infections. Minocycline is used for Acne vulgaris, Sexually transmitted infections (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea) and Periodontitis.

Also called: Arestin (United States) · Acnamino (United Kingdom) · Akamin (Australia) · Mino (New Zealand)

Pronunciation: mi-noe-SYE-kleen.

Generic name: Minocycline
Brand names: Minotabs, Dynacin, Minocyclin, Minocin, Solodyn, Minoz
Drug class: Infection & Antibiotics

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · India · Nepal · New Zealand

Australia: Minomycin-50, Akamin · Full directory

What Minocycline is and how it works

Minocycline is an antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, including acne, respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and certain sexually transmitted infections. It is also sometimes prescribed for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Minocycline works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics, which block bacteria from making the proteins they need to survive. This helps your body’s immune system clear the infection. Key points: Always take minocycline exactly as prescribed and for the duration your prescriber specifies, even if you feel better before finishing it — contact your prescriber before changing how long you take it. Minocycline does not treat viral infections (like colds or flu). (3) (2)

Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.

Mechanism of action: how Minocycline works

Minocycline is classified as Infection & Antibiotics. See the how-to-take, warnings, and interactions sections for the redistributed clinician-authored dosing and safety detail formerly held in this field. (1) (3)

What is Minocycline used for?

Acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris (3) (2)

Bacterial infections (e.g., respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin)

Bacterial infections (e.g., respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin) (3) (2)

Sexually transmitted infections (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea)

Sexually transmitted infections (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea) (3) (2)

Periodontitis

Periodontitis (3) (2)

Rheumatoid arthritis (off-label use)

Rheumatoid arthritis (off-label use) (3) (2)

Before taking Minocycline

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not take minocycline if you have ever had a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to minocycline or to any other tetracycline-class antibiotic, such as doxycycline or tetracycline. This is an absolute contraindication in the prescribing information. (all countries) (2)
Minocycline should not be used during pregnancy unless your prescriber has judged that no other suitable antibiotic is available. Tetracycline-class antibiotics can cause harm to the developing baby, and use from the second half of pregnancy onwards can permanently discolour the baby’s teeth. Tell your prescriber straight away if you become pregnant while taking it. (all countries) (2) (3)
Minocycline should not be given to children under 8 years of age unless other antibiotics are unlikely to work or cannot be used. Tetracyclines taken while the teeth are still developing can permanently stain them and can slow bone growth. (all countries) (2) (3)

Tell your clinician about

Any allergy to antibiotics, especially to a tetracycline.
Kidney disease — the dose may need to be reduced.
Liver disease, or any history of liver problems on an antibiotic.
Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Any history of lupus, or of raised pressure inside the head (benign intracranial hypertension), including ongoing headaches or blurred vision.
Whether you take a retinoid such as isotretinoin or acitretin, a blood thinner such as warfarin, a penicillin antibiotic, or an antacid, iron or calcium supplement.

(2) (3)

Minocycline dosage and how to take it

Take minocycline exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, for the full duration prescribed; contact your prescriber before skipping doses or stopping early, even if you feel better. Swallow tablets or capsules whole with a full glass of water. Take with or without food, but avoid taking with dairy products, antacids, or supplements containing calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or iron within 2 hours of your dose.
This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.

(3) (2)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (3) (2)

Missed dose

Contact your prescriber or pharmacist for advice on a missed dose.

Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center immediately. Symptoms may include severe dizziness, vomiting, confusion, or seizures. Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment. (3) (2)

Minocycline side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.

Dizziness

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established

Nausea

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established

Diarrhea

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established

Photosensitivity

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established

Severe allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing), severe skin reaction (blistering, peeling), liver problems (yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine), or signs of increased pressure in the brain — pseudotumor cerebri (persistent headache, vision changes, nausea/vomiting)

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; seek immediate medical attention if this occurs

Drug-induced lupus (joint pain, rash, fever, fatigue)

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; report to a healthcare provider promptly if this occurs

Permanent tooth discoloration or enamel hypoplasia if inadvertently given to a child under 8 years

Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; report to a healthcare provider if this occurs

Serious warnings

A known allergy to minocycline, other tetracyclines, or any ingredient in the formulation needs clinician assessment before minocycline is used — serious

Symptoms: A known allergy to minocycline, other tetracyclines, or any ingredient in the formulation needs clinician assessment before minocycline is used. It is not given to children under 8 years of age because of the risk of permanent tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia.