Minocin

Minocin is a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body. It works by preventing the growth of bacteria or killing them. It is a secondary treatment option for patients who cannot receive penicillin antibiotics.

This antibacterial injection can also be used in treating intestinal amebiasis and severe acne but does not work for virus infections like colds and flu. Minocycline injection is only administered under a doctor’s supervision.

Before using Minocin, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. When using Minocin, you and your doctor should make the decision. Weighing the benefits versus the risks is important.

For this medicine, the following must be considered by you and your doctor:

Allergies:

If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - foods, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Pediatrics:

The use of minocycline injection for children 8 years old and below is not advisable as it may slow down bone growth and cause permanent discoloration of the teeth.

Geriatric:

While there is no appropriate study done to point out the relationship of old age to the effects of this drug, no geriatric-related problems are given to date. Nonetheless, utmost caution must be considered when giving this medicine to the elderly, since the age group is more likely to suffer from age-related kidney, liver, or heart diseases.

Pregnancy:

Appropriate studies done in pregnant women show that using this drug can harm the fetus. Nonetheless, the benefits of using this drug may outweigh the risks in case of a life-threatening situation.

Breastfeeding:

Breastfeeding Using this medicine may alter milk composition or affect milk production. If no alternative medication is available, close monitoring of the breastfeeding infant must be done to see if milk intake is adequate and to check for side effects.

Drug Interactions:

Certain medicines have adverse effects when used together. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary.

Before using minocycline, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are smoking tobacco or drinking alcohol since these may interact with the drug’s effectiveness. Inform your doctor about any drug you are using,

Prescription or nonprescription, especially the following drugs:

• Acitretin
• Atazanavir
• Ampicillin
• Amoxicillin
• Bexarotene
• Bacampicillin
• Cloxacillin
• Digoxin
• Dicloxacillin
• Etretinate
• Isotretinoin
• Nafcillin
• Methicillin
• Oxacillin
• Penicillin G
• Penicillin G Procaine
• Penicillin G Benzathine
• Penicillin V
• Pivampicillin
• Piperacillin
• Sultamicillin
• Tretinoin
• Temocillin

Other medical problems. If you have other health problems, it may affect the use of minocycline. Make sure you inform your doctor about other problems concerning your health, especially diarrhea, increased pressure in the head, kidney disease or liver disease.

To use Minocin properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. The Minocin is injected in one of your veins and is administered by a trained health professional.

In using Minocin, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. Close monitoring of the patient by the doctor is necessary to see if the medicine is working properly and to help determine if continuous treatment with minocycline is advisable. To check for unwanted effects, blood and urine tests may be required.

It is highly possible to harm your unborn baby when you use this medicine while pregnant. Moreover, if the father is using minocycline when his sexual partner becomes pregnant, the unborn baby has a high risk of having birth defects.

Using birth control is advisable when under this medication. However, the effectivity of birth control pills may become compromised when using minocycline; using an additional form of birth control is advised. Inform your doctor immediately if a pregnancy occurs while using this medicine.

Using this medicine may cause darkening of the skin, eyes, nails, gums, teeth, or scars and may also cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Sun exposure, even for a short period, may result in an itching or redness of the skin, skin rash, or skin discoloration.

If possible, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m and 3 pm. Wearing protective clothing, hat and sunglasses can help. Also, applying sunblock lotion and lipstick with high SPFs is also recommended.

Minocycline use may cause dizziness or lightheadedness in some people. Before using machines, driving, or doing activities that will need total alertness, make sure you are familiar with the effects of this medicine on you.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, which can be severe at times, and may occur up to 2 months or longer after stopping your intake. Ask your doctor if diarrhea treatment is possible.

Taking minocycline may result in an increased pressure in the head that can lead to permanent loss of vision. Visit your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe headaches or any vision changes, as well as symptoms of a liver problem, such as stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, pale stools, dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes.

Do not take other medicines while using minocycline unless directed by your doctor.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Minocin. Not all people may suffer from these side effects, but if they do, immediate medical attention may be needed.

Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you encounter any of the following:

• Abdominal or stomach cramps
• Tenderness on the upper stomach
• Peeling, blistering or loosening of the skin
• Bloating
• Blurred or double vision
• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Cough
• Chills
• Cracks in the skin
• Diarrhea
• Dark urine
• Dizziness
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Eye pain
• Fever
• Fast heartbeat
• Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• General tiredness and weakness
• Hives, itching, or rash
• Joint or muscle pain
• Increased thirst
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, and different parts of the body
• Loss of heat from the body
• Light-colored stools
• Nausea or vomiting
• Mouth sores or ulcers
• Puffy or swollen eyes, mouth, tongue, or face
• Red, swollen skin scaly skin
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• Red, irritated eyes
• Severe headache
• Sore throat
• Seizures
• Severe stomach pain
• Swelling of the feet or lower legs
• Trouble breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• Unusual weight loss
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Yellow eyes and skin

While most of these side effects usually diminish as the body adjusts to the drug, immediate medical attention may be needed. Some patients may experience side effects not listed above. If you want to report side effects, you may do so by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.