Minocin

Minocin

     * Generic Name: minocycline hydrochloride oral suspension
     * Brand Name: Minocin


     * What is minocycline?
     * What are the possible side effects of minocycline?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       minocycline?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       minocycline?
     * How should I take minocycline?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking minocycline?
     * What other drugs will affect minocycline?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is minocycline?

   Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that fights
   bacteria in the body.

   Minocycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such
   as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin
   infections, severe acne, gonorrhea, tick fever, chlamydia,
   and others.

   Minocycline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of minocycline?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
   (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a
   severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes,
   skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering
   and peeling).

   Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can
   affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever,
   swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, severe weakness,
   unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. This may be more
   likely with long-term use of minocycline, and the reaction may occur
   several weeks after you began using this medicine.

   Call your doctor at once if you have:
     * kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or
       ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
     * signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper
       stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or
       vomiting, loss of appetite, easy bruising or bleeding, dark
       urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
     * lupus-like syndrome (with long-term use of minocycline to treat
       acne)--joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands,
       muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior,
       and patchy skin color;
     * increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in
       your ears, dizziness, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
     * signs of inflammation in your body--swollen glands, flu symptoms,
       easy bruising or bleeding, severe tingling or numbness, muscle
       weakness, chest pain, new or worsening cough with fever, trouble
       breathing.

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
     * dizziness, spinning sensation;
     * headache, feeling tired;
     * swollen tongue, cough, trouble swallowing;
     * muscle or joint pain;
     * rash, itching; or
     * discoloration of you skin or nails.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about minocycline?

   Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of
   your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies,
   and all medicines you use.

   Minocin Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Fungal Infections: Fungus Among Us

   Fungal Infections Slideshow: Fungus Among Us
   RxList

   Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
   Hepatitis C: Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment

   Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking minocycline?

   You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to minocycline or
   to similar antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline, or
   tetracycline.

   If you are using minocycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test
   you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another
   sexually transmitted disease.

   To make sure minocycline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * liver disease;
     * kidney disease; or
     * asthma or sulfite allergy.

   You should not use minocycline if you are pregnant. It could harm the
   unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Use
   effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this
   medicine, whether you are a man or a woman.

   Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the
   mother or the father is taking minocycline. The use of this medicine by
   either parent may cause tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.

   Minocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your
   doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm
   with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

   Minocycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth
   development in a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are
   taking minocycline.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
   Minocycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in
   children younger than 8 years old.

How should I take minocycline?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

   You may take minocycline with or without food.

   Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release capsule or tablet.
   Swallow it whole.

   Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms
   may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses
   may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to
   antibiotics. Minocycline will not treat a viral infection such as
   the flu or a common cold.

   If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical
   tests. You may also need to stop taking minocycline for a short time if
   you need surgery.

   This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests.
   Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using minocycline.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

   Throw away any minocycline not used before the expiration date on the
   medicine label. Using expired minocycline can cause damage to your
   kidneys.

   Minocin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Fungal Infections: Fungus Among Us

   Fungal Infections Slideshow: Fungus Among Us
   RxList

   Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz
   Hepatitis C: Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment

   Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

   Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking minocycline?

   For 2 hours before or after you take minocycline: Avoid taking
   antacids, laxatives, multivitamins, or supplements that contain
   calcium, magnesium, or iron. These other medicines can make it harder
   for your body to absorb minocycline.

   This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
   drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

   Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
   infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
   doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you
   to.

   Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Minocycline can make you
   sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
   (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

What other drugs will affect minocycline?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * isotretinoin;
     * a penicillin antibiotic--amoxicillin, ampicillin,
       dicloxacillin, oxacillin, penicillin, ticarcillin, Amoxil,
       Moxatag, Augmentin, Principen, and others;
     * a blood thinner--warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
     * ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine,
       methylergonovine.

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with minocycline,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about minocycline.
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