Do you also have acne on your face? Sometimes these pimples can be very annoying, right? When you can't control them with normal care, a doctor may prescribe a medicine called Minocycline. This is a common medicine for acne. So, today we will talk briefly about this medicine, what it does, and what things to be careful about while using it.
Simply put, what is Minocycline?
Minocycline is a type of antibiotic. Specifically, it belongs to the group of antibiotics called ``Tetracycline.'' It works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause acne on your skin. This helps control acne. Doctors may also prescribe it for some other infections.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before starting this medication, it is very important to talk to your doctor about your health condition completely openly. You should especially mention any of the following conditions that you have:
| Health status | Why should you tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Kidney disease | Since the medication is filtered through the kidneys, the dosage may need to be adjusted if you have kidney problems. |
| Liver disease | It is important to be aware of this as it can affect liver function. |
| Intestinal diseases (e.g. Colitis) | This medication may affect the intestines, so be aware of any existing medical conditions. |
| Allergies | Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to Minocycline or other Tetracycline medications, foods, or other substances. |
| Being pregnant or planning to be pregnant | This medicine may harm an unborn baby, so it is not recommended for use if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | This is not recommended for nursing mothers, as the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions for using the medicine exactly as it is prescribed.
- Take with a glass of water: Always take this pill with a full glass of water.
- Do not break or crush the tablet: Swallow this tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Complete the prescribed period: Take the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel a little better. Do not stop halfway.
- When taking with other medications: If you are taking vitamins or antacids that contain iron, calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, take them a few hours before or after taking Minocycline. Do not take them at the same time. If you are unsure about this, ask your doctor.
The most important thing is, this medicine is for you only . Never give your medicine to someone else, even if their symptoms are similar.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, do not panic and go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Alternatively, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Minocycline can interact with some other medications you are taking, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal remedies.
| Types of medications and their effects | |
|---|---|
| Do not take these together. | |
| Acitretin (a medicine for skin diseases) | |
| Tell the doctor about these things too. | |
| Antacids | Medicine for stomach inflammation |
| Birth control pills | This medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. |
| Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin) | Blood thinners |
| Iron supplements | Iron tablets |
| Isotretinoin | Another powerful medicine for acne |
| Other antibiotics (e.g. Penicillin) | Other antibiotics |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Avoid getting pregnant: This is very important. Do not get pregnant while taking this medication. Also, if you are a man taking this medication, do not father a child. This medication may make birth control pills less effective, so talk to your doctor about using another form of birth control.
- Protect yourself from the sun: This medicine may make your skin very sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity). So if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body well, use a good sunscreen, and avoid using sun lamps or tanning beds.
- Serious skin reactions: Some people may have serious skin reactions even weeks after starting this medicine. Call your doctor right away if you have red or purple spots on your skin along with fever, body aches, which later turn into blisters, sores inside your mouth, or a rash on your face, lips, neck, or armpits.
- Diarrhea: If you have severe diarrhea that lasts more than two days and is watery, do not take medication from the pharmacy and call your doctor.
- Dizziness/Drowsiness: This medication may make you feel a little dizzy or drowsy. So avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this affects you.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Increased pressure around the brain | Severe headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin, extreme fatigue. |
| Severe skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin, sores inside the mouth. |
| Other | Severe diarrhea, fever, joint pain, difficulty swallowing. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they are bothersome | |
| Common side effects | Headache, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, tooth discoloration (rare). |
How should you store your medicine?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius) away from moisture and keep the bottle tightly closed in an airtight container. Throw away any expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Minocycline is an antibiotic used for acne. Always take it exactly as your doctor tells you, for the full duration of the treatment.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, any other medications you are taking, and any allergies you have.
- Avoid getting pregnant completely while taking this medicine. Talk to your doctor about appropriate birth control.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as severe skin rashes, severe diarrhea, or severe headache, seek medical advice immediately.
- Don't forget to protect yourself from the sun, as your skin may be sensitive to sunlight while taking the medication.
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