Before taking minocycline

Before taking minocycline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If the patient is under 12 years of age.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition also called lupus or SLE).
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a condition causing tired and weak muscles).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take minocycline

• Before beginning this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Swallow minocycline with a glassful of water while you are sitting or standing up. Do not take minocycline while you are lying down.
• If you are taking the modified-release (MR) capsules, swallow the capsules whole, without crushing or chewing them.
• Try to take minocycline at the same time(s) each day to avoid missing any doses. It does not matter whether you take minocycline before or after food.
• If you are taking more than one dose a day, spread your doses out evenly throughout the day.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not take any indigestion remedies, or any preparations containing iron or zinc at the same time of day as minocycline, as they can stop it from working. Leave at least 3 hours before or after your dose of minocycline before taking any such preparations.
• It is important that you finish the full course of this antibiotic unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you stop taking minocycline too soon your infection is likely to return and could be more difficult to treat.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Make sure that you keep any regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked. This is most important if you are taking minocycline over several months, as your doctor may want you to have some blood tests.
• If you are using hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), the current advice (January 2011) is that additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Minocycline may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sun block product to prevent this, especially in strong sunlight.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can minocycline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
• Blurred vision.
• A severe rash.
• Bruising.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store minocycline

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Aknemin® 100, Almirall Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated August 2010.
• Manufacturer's PIL, Minocin® MR Modified Release Capsules, Meda Pharmaceuticals, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated June 2010.
• British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.