Acne is a problem that many people face, regardless of age, especially young people. Sometimes these acnes come in a bit of a severe form. Then a doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic. One medicine that you may get at such a time is Minocycline. So today, let's talk about this medicine in simple terms, how to use it, and things to be careful about.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Minocycline is an antibiotic. That is, a medicine that fights bacteria in the body. It belongs to a group of antibiotics called tetracycline antibiotics .
The main cause of acne is the bacteria on our skin. So this medicine kills those bacteria or stops their growth. In this way, this medicine helps to control acne. In addition to acne, doctors can also prescribe this for other infectious conditions. Ask your doctor for more details about it.
Things to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before you start using Minocycline, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition, especially these things.
- Kidney problems: If you have any kidney disease.
- Liver problems: If you suffer from liver conditions.
- Digestive system problems: If you have previously had conditions such as colitis.
- Allergies: Tell your doctor if you are allergic to minocycline, other tetracycline-type medications, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or have any doubts about it.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding a child.
Do not hide this information from your doctor, as these facts are very important in deciding whether this medicine is right for you or not.
How should I use the medicine?
Follow these instructions exactly when using this medicine.
- Take the pill with a glass of water .
- Take it every day, as prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed time.
- Do not break, crush, or chew this tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.
- You can take this before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset or discomfort, take it with food.
- Take the entire prescribed dose of medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop halfway. Even if you feel better, take the medicine until you finish.
- Important: If you are taking any medications (e.g. vitamins, antacids) that contain iron, calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, do not take them at the same time as Minocycline. Leave at least two hours between taking them. Otherwise, Minocycline will not be absorbed properly.
- If given to children: This is sometimes prescribed for children over the age of 12. But talk to your doctor about it and use it only on his advice.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, 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 pills at once, even if you missed one.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
If you are taking any other medications, it is important to tell your doctor about them. Some medications can interact with Minocycline.
Do not take Minocycline with the following medications:
- `Acitretin` (a medicine for skin diseases)
Problems can also occur with the following medications:
- Antacids (liquids/tablets taken for stomach ulcers)
- Birth control pills
- Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. `warfarin`)
- Some medicines used for migraines (`ergot alkaloids`)
- Iron supplements
- Isotretinoin for acne
- Methoxyflurane, which is used for anesthesia
- Other antibiotics (e.g. penicillin)
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, traditional medicines, and herbal products) .
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Very important: Avoid getting pregnant while taking this medicine. If you are a woman, try to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor right away. If you are a man, avoid getting a baby while taking this medicine. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Also, this medicine may make birth control pills less effective. So talk to your doctor about other birth control methods. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
Skin reactions and sunlight
This medicine may make your skin very sensitive to sunlight. This means you may burn easily . So avoid going out in the sun as much as possible. If you do go out, wear clothing that covers your skin and use a good sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds.
Sometimes, even weeks after starting the medication, serious skin reactions can occur. Tell your doctor right away if you have a fever, body aches, red or purple skin rash that later blisters or peels off, or if you have swelling of the face, lips, or lumps in the neck or armpits.
Other important points
- Diarrhea: If you get diarrhea while taking this medication, do not try to treat it yourself by buying medicine from the pharmacy. If the diarrhea lasts more than two days, or becomes watery, call your doctor.
- Dizziness and vision changes: This medicine may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. Therefore, avoid doing dangerous activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up or sit down too quickly. Change positions frequently, especially if you are elderly. If you experience symptoms such as severe headache, blurred vision, or nausea, these may be signs of increased pressure around the brain. Tell your doctor immediately.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Increased pressure around the brain | Severe headache, blurred vision, vision changes, nausea, vomiting. |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth), fever and swelling of the gums. |
| Liver damage | Pain in the right upper abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the eyes/skin, extreme fatigue. |
| Other serious symptoms | Severe diarrhea accompanied by fever, joint pain, difficulty swallowing, unusual vaginal discharge or itching. |
| Usually does not require medical treatment (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Minor side effects | Headache, dizziness, fatigue, diarrhea, tooth discoloration. |
If you experience any other unusual symptoms not mentioned on this list, talk to your doctor about them as well.
Take-Home Message
- Minocycline is an antibiotic used for acne. Use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor, for the prescribed period of time.
- Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
- Avoid pregnancy completely and avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
- Protect your skin from the sun as it can make it more sensitive to sunlight. Use sunscreen.
- If you experience a serious side effect such as severe headache, vision changes, or severe skin rashes, contact your doctor immediately.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal supplements).
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