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Overview: Seysara is used for the treatment of certain types of acne. The most common side effect is nausea. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking Seysara. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, even if it is a couple of months after you stop taking Seysara.

Uses

What is Seysara used for?

Seysara (sarecycline) is commonly used for the treatment of red, swollen pimples caused by moderate to severe acne. 

Seysara may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Seysara work (mechanism of action)?

Acne happens when your skin’s pores get clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Sometimes, bacteria can grow in the clogged pores, causing redness, swelling, and pimples.  

Seysara is thought to help treat acne by stopping the bacteria from growing and reducing the swelling and redness. This helps your skin heal and prevents new breakouts.

How is Seysara supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Seysara

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 60 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg oral tablets

How should I store Seysara?

Seysara should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and excessive heat. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Seysara?

The most common side effect of Seysara is nausea. Tell your healthcare provider if this side effect bothers you.

There may be other side effects of Seysara that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Seysara?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Seysara are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Permanent Teeth Discoloration. Seysara can cause a permanent change in tooth color to yellow, gray, or brown. It may also affect growth of tooth enamel (also called enamel hypoplasia). These side effects can happen during tooth development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to age eight years. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is taking Seysara and is less than eight years old, call your healthcare provider right away.

Bone Growth Problems. Seysara can cause problems with bone growth, during bone development in the last half of pregnancy and in children up to eight years old. These effects seem to be reversible once the medicine is stopped. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If your child is taking Seysara and is less than eight years old, talk about this with your healthcare provider.

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Seysara. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Dizziness or Feeling Off Balance. Seysara or medicines that are similar to it can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are off balance. Your alertness or coordination may be off. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Seysara affects you. If dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are off balance do not go away, call your healthcare provider.

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Seysara can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri or intracranial hypertension. Stop taking Seysara and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Severe headache
  • Vision changes

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking Seysara. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposure to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these happen.

Another Infection. Taking Seysara may lead to an infection with other types of germs, such as fungi. Call your healthcare provider if your infection does not improve or gets worse. 

Severe Allergic Reactions. Seysara may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Seysara and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Seysara?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Seysara.

  • Seysara
  • Sarecycline
  • Any other medicine known as a tetracycline
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Seysara.

What should I know about Seysara before using it?

Do not take Seysara unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed. Taking Seysara in a way other than it was prescribed may increase the chance that bacteria will develop resistance to Seysara. This may make Seysara or other antibiotics not work as well in the future. 

Take Seysara with plenty of fluid. Seysara can irritate your throat. Drinking enough fluid to completely swallow the medicine lowers this risk.

Taking antacids or supplements with Seysara can make it not work as well. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to take antacids and supplements while taking Seysara. See the Interactions section for more details. 

Do not share Seysara with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Seysara out of the reach of children.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Seysara?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Seysara is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Diarrhea
  • Vision problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Seysara may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Seysara, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Seysara may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Breastfeeding. Seysara passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for causing serious side effects in the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while taking Seysara. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. 

How can I get more information about Seysara?

For more information about Seysara, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.seysara.com or call them at 866-665-2782.

Interactions

Does Seysara interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Seysara and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Seysara.

Does Seysara interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are taking.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any of the following before taking Seysara.

  • An oral retinoid (isotretinoin, acitretin), which is a medicine used to treat skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis
  • An antacid or supplement containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium
  • Iron, which is a medicine used to treat/prevent low iron levels
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which is a medicine used for upset stomach, heartburn, and nausea
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A penicillin antibiotic, which is a medicine used for certain bacterial infections
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure

Seysara may alter the blood levels of some other medicines. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Seysara. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Seysara?

If you or someone else has used too much Seysara, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Seysara?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Seysara, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Seysara or other similar medicines.