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Uses

What is Amzeeq used for?

Amzeeq (topical minocycline) is commonly used to treat acne vulgaris on your skin.

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

How does Amzeeq work (mechanism of action)?

Amzeeq belongs to a group of medicines called tetracyclines. It is unknown how Amzeeq works to treat acne vulgaris, but it seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect.

How is Amzeeq supplied (dosage forms)?

Amzeeq is available as a 4% topical foam that is applied to the skin.

How should I store Amzeeq?

Amzeeq should be stored at room temperature below 77 F (25 C). Do not store Amzeeq in the refrigerator. Keep away from fire, and do not expose the medicine to temperatures above 120 F (49 C). Throw away any unused product 90 days after you get it from the pharmacy.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Amzeeq?

The most common side effect of Amzeeq is headache. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of Amzeeq 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 Amzeeq?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Amzeeq may cause allergic reactions, including a specific type of allergic reaction called DRESS. DRESS stands for Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms. It is also sometimes called multi-organ hypersensitivity. This is a reaction that can affect multiple parts of the body including your liver, kidneys, and heart. Stop taking the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, or throat tightness
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Dark-colored pee
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including minocycline taken by mouth. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to 2 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

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking minocycline by mouth. Stop using Amzeeq and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Dizziness. Minocycline taken by mouth can make you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or off balance. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Amzeeq affects you.

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Amzeeq may increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called intracranial hypertension (or increased intracranial pressure). Stop using Amzeeq and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

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

Immune System Reactions. Minocycline taken by mouth can cause inflammation of your liver, blood vessels, or lymph vessels and cause symptoms that look like a condition called lupus. Stop using Amzeeq and call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms.

  • Rash
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness

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 certain drugs, including minocycline taken by mouth. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Darkening of Skin or Other Body Parts (Hyperpigmentation). Minocycline taken by mouth can cause darkening of various areas of your body, including skin, nails, bones, eyes, and the inside of your mouth (including teeth). Tell your health care provider if you notice darkening of any part of your body.

Infection. Using Amzeeq may lead to an infection with certain types of germs, such as fungi. Call your healthcare provider if your acne does not improve or gets worse, or if you experience symptoms such as fever or skin inflammation

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Amzeeq?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use Amzeeq.

  • Minocycline
  • Amzeeq
  • 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 Amzeeq.

What should I know about Amzeeq before using it?

Do not use Amzeeq unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Use it as prescribed.

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

Keep Amzeeq out of the reach of children.

Amzeeq is for use on the skin only. It should not be used on other areas of the body such as your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

Allow the can to warm to room temperature before you use Amzeeq for the first time.

Shake the can well before each use.

Wash your hands after applying Amzeeq.

Avoid fire or flame (including smoking) when applying and shortly after applying Amzeeq. The contents are flammable. Do not puncture the container.

Amzeeq can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or feeling of being off balance. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Amzeeq affects you.

Amzeeq can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and loose-fitting clothing that covers your skin.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Amzeeq?

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 Amzeeq 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.

  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems
  • Diarrhea
  • History of increased pressure around the brain (intracranial hypertension)
  • Overweight

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

Pregnancy. Minocycline taken by mouth can cause serious side effects on the bone growth and teeth of an unborn baby. Amzeeq is used on your skin, and it is not known if Amzeeq can harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should use Amzeeq while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Amzeeq passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Amzeeq.

How can I get more information about Amzeeq?

For more information about Amzeeq, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.amzeeq.com or call them at 480-434-6670.

Interactions

Does Amzeeq interact with foods or drinks?

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

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Amzeeq. The risk of dizziness and lightheadedness may be increased if you drink alcohol while using Amzeeq.

Does Amzeeq 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 using.

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

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A penicillin antibiotic such as amoxicillin or penicillin V potassium, which is an antibiotic used to treat infections
  • Isotretinoin (Accutane, Claravis, Absorica, etc.), which is a medicine used to treat severe acne

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Amzeeq. 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 Amzeeq?

If you or someone else has used too much Amzeeq, 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 Amzeeq?

If you miss your scheduled application of Amzeeq, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled application, skip the missed application and follow the original schedule. Do not apply Amzeeq more often than prescribed.