Minocycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and skin infections. It is also used to treat severe acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia and staph infections resistant to other tetracycline antibiotics.
What is Minocycline?
Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by interfering with the protein synthesis in bacteria.
How should Minocycline be taken?
Minocycline can be taken orally in the form of capsules, tablets or suspensions. It should be taken with a tall glass of water. Minocycline can also be administered intravenously.
Side effects associated with Minocycline
Among the possible side effects of minocycline include the following:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tongue swelling
- Cough
- Difficulty swallowing
- Muscle or joint aches
- Rash
- Pallor
- Discoloration of the nails
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
- Decreased urination
- Painful urination
- Swelling of feet or ankles
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Combination of symptoms: nausea, vomiting, pain in the upper abdomen that may extend to the back, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools and jaundice
- Severe headaches, tinnitus, dizziness and pain behind the eyes
- Swollen glands
- Flu-like symptoms
- Bleeding or bruising
- Severe numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Chest pain
- Cough with fever
- Breathing problems
- Severe skin reactions
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Minocycline
Minocycline can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. When taking any iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids or laxatives, they should be taken at least 2 hours apart from minocycline.
Before starting treatment with minocycline, it is important to tell your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance, its excipients or any other drugs (especially demeclocycline, doxycycline or other tetracyclines) or food
- You are taking any other medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: isotretinoin, penicillin, anticoagulants and ergot derivatives
- You are suffering (or have suffered) from liver or kidney disease, asthma or sulfites allergies
- You are pregnant or breast-feeding
