Minocycline is used to treat bacterial infections. Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

It is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections. It can also be used for the treatment of acne. The medication works by stopping the bacteria from multiplying.

How should I take/use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• The capsule may be taken with or without food, but should be taken with a glass of water to prevent throat irritations and ulceration.
• The capsule should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, crush, dissolve or open the capsule

What should I do if I forget to take/use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

What are some common side-effects of this medication?

• Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
• Headache
• Decreased appetite
• Do not drive, use machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen whenever you are exposed to the sun.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of drug allergy or hypersensitivity reactions include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Some of these side effects include:

• Fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, redness or white patch in mouth or throat
• Change in hearing, ringing in ears
• Change in colour of nails, skin, eyes, scars, teeth, or gums to darker or yellower colour
• Chest pain or shortness of breath, swelling in arms or legs
• Severe stomach pain, back pain, and/or vomiting
• Muscle or joint pain
• Unable to pass urine, change in urine volume, blood in urine
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding, feeling very tired or weak
• Seizures

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop the medication and see your healthcare professional immediately

What food or medication should I avoid when I take this medication?

• Do not take this medication if you are currently taking a medication known as isotretinoin or other oral retinoids or retinol products. This can increase the risk of high pressure in the head leading to headaches, nausea and vomiting.
• Antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and oral iron preparations can impair absorption and should be given 2 hours before or 4 hours after oral minocycline.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How should I throw away this medication safely?

Pack the medication into a bag and bring it back to the pharmacy where you received the medication from.

Disclaimers

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on April 2024