Sarecycline

Pronunciation: pronunciation varies by local usage.

Generic name: sarecycline
Brand names: SEYSARA
Drug class: Oral tetracycline-class antibiotic
Form: Tablet
Route: Oral
Legal status: Prescription-only medicine

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States

What sarecycline is and how it works

Sarecycline is an oral tetracycline-class medicine used to treat inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients 9 years and older. It is not for infections and has not been studied beyond 12 weeks of efficacy or 12 months of safety. (1)

The medicine is available only by prescription. The prescriber will determine the appropriate dose based on body weight. It should be taken with adequate fluid to reduce oesophageal irritation. Do not use for other conditions or change the dose without prescriber advice.

Mechanism of action: how sarecycline works

Sarecycline is a narrow-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic. Its exact mechanism in acne vulgaris is not detailed in the research notes. (1)

What sarecycline is used for

Acne vulgaris

Sarecycline is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 9 years and older. (1)

Before taking sarecycline

Do not take / not appropriate for

Do not take sarecycline if you have a known hypersensitivity to sarecycline or any tetracycline-class antibiotic. (all products) (1)
Do not use sarecycline to treat infections; it is only approved for acne as directed by the prescriber. (all indications) (1)

Tell your clinician about

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
If you have a history of intracranial hypertension, vision problems, or severe headaches.
If you take antacids, iron supplements, or other medications that may interact.
If you have a history of C. difficile-associated diarrhoea or other bowel problems.
If you have any known allergies, especially to tetracycline antibiotics.

(1)

How to take sarecycline

Take sarecycline exactly as prescribed, once daily with adequate fluid to reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation.
Take the tablet with adequate fluid to reduce oesophageal irritation.
The dose is based on body weight and will be determined by the prescriber. Do not change the dose or stop treatment without the prescriber's advice.

(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)

Missed dose

The supplied research notes do not provide medicine-specific missed-dose instructions. Contact the prescribing clinician or pharmacist for advice and do not take an extra dose unless they direct you to do so.

Overdose

If an overdose is suspected, contact the poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. Information on specific overdose management is not provided in the current research notes. (1)

Side effects

Side effects may vary. The most common side effect is increased sensitivity to sunlight. Serious side effects require prompt medical attention.

Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity)

What to notice: Increased risk of sunburn, rash, itching, or redness with sun exposure.

What to do: Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure. Contact the prescriber if severe sunburn occurs. (1)

Intracranial hypertension

What to notice: Severe headache, blurred vision, double vision, or dizziness.

What to do: Seek medical attention promptly. The clinician will assess whether to continue treatment. (1)

C. difficile-associated diarrhoea

What to notice: Severe or persistent diarrhoea, possibly with blood or mucus, abdominal pain, or fever.

What to do: Contact the prescriber immediately. Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medicines without advice. (1)

Severe allergic reaction

What to notice: Rash, itching, swelling of face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

What to do: Seek emergency medical help immediately. The clinician will advise on discontinuation. (1)

Serious warnings

Intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) — emergency

Symptoms: Severe headache, blurred vision, double vision, nausea, dizziness.

Action: Seek medical attention promptly. Let the clinician you see advise on whether to continue or stop treatment. (1)

C. difficile-associated diarrhoea — urgent

Symptoms: Severe or persistent diarrhoea, possibly with blood or mucus, abdominal pain, fever.

Action: Contact the prescriber immediately. Do not use anti-diarrhoeal medicines without advice. (1)

Severe allergic reaction — emergency

Symptoms: Rash, itching, swelling of face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. The clinician will advise on discontinuation. (1)

Fetal harm — contraindicated

Symptoms: Sarecycline can cause harm to the unborn baby. Do not use during pregnancy.

Action: If you become pregnant while taking sarecycline, contact the prescriber immediately. The prescriber will advise on next steps. (1)

Tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia — warning

Symptoms: May occur if used during tooth development (children under 9 years). Sarecycline is not indicated for children under 9.

Action: Do not use in children under 9 years of age. Consult the prescriber for alternative treatments. (1)

Interactions

Medicine or test	Effect	Action
Antacids, iron supplements, and other minerals	Can reduce the absorption of sarecycline, making it less effective.	Space them apart from sarecycline as directed by the prescriber or pharmacist. Do not adjust the timing yourself. (1)
Other medications	Sarecycline may interact with other drugs. A complete review is necessary.	Tell the prescriber and pharmacist about all medicines you take, including over-the-counter and herbal products. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Children and adolescents

Sarecycline is approved for patients 9 years and older. Use in children under 9 is not recommended due to the risk of tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia. (1)

Pregnancy

Sarecycline is contraindicated during pregnancy due to fetal harm. If you become pregnant, contact the prescriber immediately. (1)

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking sarecycline. Discuss alternative feeding options with the prescriber. (1)

People with a history of intracranial hypertension

Use with caution. The prescriber will evaluate the risk and may monitor for symptoms. (1)

Monitoring

Before starting

Confirm diagnosis of moderate-to-severe non-nodular acne vulgaris.
Assess for pregnancy, breastfeeding, hypersensitivity, history of intracranial hypertension, and concomitant medications.
Determine the appropriate weight-based dose.

During treatment

Monitor for signs of intracranial hypertension, severe diarrhoea, allergic reactions, and photosensitivity.
Reassess efficacy and safety after 12 weeks; long-term use beyond 12 months is not established.
Periodic review of the need for continued treatment is recommended.

(1)

Storage

Storage information is not provided in the current research notes. Follow the product label instructions.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only. Use the current local label and prescribing information.

United States

Indication: Acne vulgaris

Dose summary: Weight-based dosing: 60 mg, 100 mg, or 150 mg once daily. The prescriber selects the dose based on body weight. Take with adequate fluid. Do not use for infections.

Renal context: No specific renal dosing information is provided in the research notes. Use with caution in renal impairment; consult the product label. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

No hepatic impairment data available in the research notes.

Overdose note

No specific overdose information is provided. Contact poison control. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is sarecycline used for infections?

No. Sarecycline is only approved for treating inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients 9 years and older. It has not been evaluated for infections. (1)

How long can I take sarecycline?

The safety and efficacy have been established for up to 12 weeks of treatment and safety up to 12 months. The prescriber will reassess periodically and determine the duration of treatment. (1)

Why do I need to take sarecycline with adequate fluid?

Taking it with adequate fluid helps reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation, as stated in the current label. (1)

Can I take antacids or iron supplements with sarecycline?

Antacids, iron, and other minerals can interfere with absorption. They must be spaced apart as directed by the prescriber or pharmacist. Do not change the timing without advice. (1)

What should I do if I get a severe headache or vision changes?

Seek medical attention promptly. These could be signs of intracranial hypertension. The clinician will assess whether to continue treatment. (1)

Can I take sarecycline if I am pregnant or planning to become pregnant?

No. Sarecycline can cause fetal harm. If you become pregnant while taking it, contact the prescriber immediately. The prescriber will advise on next steps. (1)

Who decides when sarecycline treatment should end?

The prescriber should reassess treatment and decide when it should end. Ask the prescriber before making a treatment change. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of sarecycline?

Sarecycline is a narrow-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic. Its exact mechanism in acne vulgaris is not detailed in the research notes. (1)

What is the generic name of Sarecycline?

The generic name is sarecycline. It is sold under brand names including SEYSARA. (1)

What class of drug is sarecycline?

Sarecycline is classed as: Oral tetracycline-class antibiotic. (1)

References

SEYSARA (sarecycline) tablets — prescribing informationU.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) / U.S. Food and Drug Administration · United States · dated 2024 · accessed 2026-08-11 · source 1
Sarecycline — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
Seysara — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA NDA209521)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
sarecycline — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 2059018)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient sarecycline names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

Seysara100 mg, 60 mg, 150 mg · almirall, llc

View brands in additional countries.