Generic name: Minocycline Capsules and Tablets [ mi-noe-SYE-kleen ]
Other brand names of Minocycline Capsules and Tablets include Minocin
Drug class: Tetracyclines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 31, 2023.

Uses of Minocin:

• It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.
• It is used to treat pimples (acne).
• It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Minocin?

• If you are allergic to Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets); any part of Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Acitretin, isotretinoin, or a penicillin.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Minocin?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) affects you.
• You may get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and wear clothing and eyewear that protects you from the sun.
• A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
• Raised pressure in the brain has happened with Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). Most of the time, this will go back to normal after Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) is stopped. Sometimes, loss of eyesight may happen and may not go away even after Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) is stopped. Call your doctor right away if you have a headache or eyesight problems like blurred eyesight, seeing double, or loss of eyesight.
• Cases of thyroid cancer have been reported with long-term use of Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). Call your doctor right away if you notice lasting hoarseness, a neck mass, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
• This medicine may cause a change in tooth color to yellow-gray-brown in children younger than 8 years old. If this change of tooth color happens, it will not go away. Talk with the doctor.
• Most of the time, Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) is not for use in children younger than 8 years old. However, there may be times when these children may need to take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). Talk with the doctor.
• Change in tooth color has also happened in adults. This has gone back to normal after Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) was stopped and teeth cleaning at a dentist's office. Talk with the doctor.
• Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Use some other kind of birth control also like a condom when taking Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets).
• This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets), call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Minocin) best taken?

Use Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Swallow whole with a full glass of water.
• Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
• Take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) at the same time of day.
• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Do not take products that have iron in them or products like antacids that have aluminum, calcium, or magnesium in them at the same time as Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Drink lots of noncaffeine liquids unless told to drink less liquid by your doctor.
• Do not use longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets).

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Swollen gland.
• Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
• Change in hearing.
• Joint pain or swelling.
• Muscle pain or weakness.
• Ringing in ears.
• Seizures.
• Shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Swelling.
• Change in color of nails, skin, eyes, scars, teeth, or gums to a darker color.
• Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
• Rectal irritation.
• Genital irritation.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.
• Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem (colitis). CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your doctor before treating diarrhea.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Minocin?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
• Not hungry.
• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Minocin?

• Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Protect from heat and light.
• Get rid of Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) when you no longer need it.
• Do not take Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets) if it is outdated.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Minocin (minocycline capsules and tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• Does doxycycline work for acne?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer