9 mins read

Overview: Minocycline is used to treat certain bacterial infections, rosacea, and acne. Common side effects include headache, feeling tired, dizziness, itching, and an upset stomach. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin. Call your health care provider right away if you get a severe headache, severe nausea, or diarrhea that does not go away.

Uses

What is minocycline used for?

Minocycline is commonly used to treat the following infections caused by certain bacteria. 

  • Infections from tick bites, including rickettsial diseases
  • Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or sinusitis 
  • Certain eye infections (for example, trachoma, inclusion conjunctivitis)
  • Severe acne
  • An infection called plague 
  • An infection called cholera
  • An infection called anthrax
  • Certain infections spread from animals, such as bartonellosis
  • Certain infections when penicillin cannot be used
  • Specific infections caused by parasites

Minocycline may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to minocycline, which will make it not work as well.

Minocycline is also used to treat rosacea, a ​​skin condition that makes your skin look flushed or red.

Minocycline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does minocycline work (mechanism of action)?

To treat infections, minocycline kills certain types of bacteria by blocking their ability to create proteins. 

To treat rosacea and acne, minocycline is thought to help by killing bacteria that can make the conditions worse and reducing redness and inflammation.

How is minocycline supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Dynacin
  • Emrosi
  • Minocin
  • Minolira
  • Solodyn
  • Ximino

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 40 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 45 mg, 55 mg, 65 mg, 80 mg, 90 mg, 105 mg, 115 mg, 135 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg oral capsules
  • 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg oral tablets

Minocycline is also available in injectable forms.

Minocycline is also available in other forms. See Arestin, Amzeeq, and Zilxi for more information.

How should I store minocycline?

Oral Tablets and Capsules. Minocycline tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place, and protect it from light, moisture, and excessive heat. 

Injection Liquid. Minocycline injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of minocycline?

The most common side effects of minocycline are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Feeling tired
  • Dizziness
  • Itching 
  • Upset stomach 

There may be other side effects of minocycline that are not listed here. Contact your health care 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 (800-332-1088). 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 minocycline?

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

Permanent Teeth Discoloration. Minocycline 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 8 years. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If your child is less than 8 years old, call your health care provider right away.

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. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care 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
  • A fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Increased Pressure Around the Brain. Minocycline can increase the pressure around the brain, a serious condition called pseudotumor cerebri or intracranial hypertension. Stop the medicine and call your health care 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 minocycline. 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 health care provider right away if any of these happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Minocycline 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 the medicine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • A racing heart
  • Itching, a skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • A 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)

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking minocycline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • A 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)

Decreased Alertness or Coordination. Minocycline can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how minocycline affects you.

Immune System Reactions. Minocycline can cause inflammation of your liver, blood vessels, or lymph vessels and cause symptoms that look like a condition called lupus. Stop the medicine and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

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

Changes in Tissue Color. Minocycline can sometimes cause parts of the body to darken or change color. This can happen in areas like the nails, bones, skin, eyes, thyroid gland, organs inside the body, mouth (teeth, gums, and jawbone), the white part of the eyes, and even heart valves. Tell your health care provider right away if you notice any color change.

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

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use minocycline?

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

  • Dynacin
  • Emrosi
  • Minocin
  • Minolira
  • Solodyn
  • Ximino
  • Minocycline
  • 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 the specific minocycline products they stock.

What should I know about minocycline before using it?

Minocycline injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Do not take minocycline capsules or tablets unless they have been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Taking minocycline in a way other than it was prescribed may increase the chance that bacteria will develop resistance to minocycline. This may make minocycline or other antibiotics not work as well in the future. Only take minocycline for an infection if your health care provider has prescribed it for this reason.

Take minocycline capsules and tablets with plenty of fluid. Minocycline can irritate your throat. Taking minocycline with food and drinking enough fluid to completely swallow the medicine lowers this risk.

Taking minocycline capsules or tablets with food may also reduce the risk of an upset stomach.

If you are taking the minocycline extended-release tablet or capsule, swallow it whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush it.

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

Keep minocycline tablets and capsules out of the reach of children.

Minocycline can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how minocycline affects you.

Your health care provider may do bloodwork while you are taking this medicine. This is to monitor you for any changes to your blood, kidneys, and liver.

What should I tell my health care provider before using minocycline?

Tell your health care 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 know if minocycline is right for you.

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

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

  • Liver problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Diarrhea
  • Vision problems from high pressure in your brain

Other Medicines and Supplements. Minocycline may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking minocycline, tell your health care 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. Minocycline may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking minocycline, contact your health care provider right away.

Breastfeeding. Minocycline passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop minocycline.

Interactions

Does minocycline interact with foods or drinks?

Foods and drinks that are high in calcium may decrease the amount of medicine that your body absorbs when you're taking minocycline tablets or capsules. Do not eat or drink dairy products like milk and yogurt or calcium-fortified products at the same time or near the time that you take minocycline. 

There are no known interactions between the injectable form of minocycline and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect minocycline, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infections. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking minocycline.

Does minocycline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care 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 minocycline.

  • 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
  • An antacid or supplement containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium
  • Iron, which is a medicine used to treat/prevent low iron levels
  • A birth control pill
  • An oral retinoid (acitretin, isotretinoin), which is a medicine used to treat skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with minocycline. Always check with your health care 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 minocycline?

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

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

Oral Tablet or Capsule. If you miss a minocycline tablet or capsule, 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. 

Injection Liquid. A minocycline injection is usually given by a health care provider in a hospital. Your health care provider will make sure you are receiving it as scheduled.