Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Minocycline (AA Pharma)
What is MINOCYCLINE used for?
MINOCYCLINE is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria in many different parts of the body.
Antibacterial drugs like MINOCYCLINE treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.
How does MINOCYCLINE work?
MINOCYCLINE is an antibiotic that belong to a class of drugs called tetracyclines. MINOCYCLINE works by slowing the growth or reproduction of bacteria that causes the infection.
What are the ingredients in MINOCYCLINE?
Medicinal Ingredient: minocycline hydrochloride
Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and talc. The capsule shell contains the non-medicinal ingredients FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, and titanium dioxide. The 100 mg capsule, imprinted with edible white ink, also contains the non-medicinal ingredients black iron oxide, FD&C blue #1, FD&C red #3 and shellac. The 50 mg capsule, imprinted with edible black ink, also contains the non-medicinal ingredients D&C yellow #10, FD&C blue #1, FD&C blue #2, FD&C red #40 and shellac.
MINCOCYCLINE comes in the following dosage forms:
Capsules: 50 mg and 100 mg.
Do not use MINOCYCLINE if you:
- are allergic to minocycline or to any of the other ingredients in MINOCYCLINE
- are allergic to other tetracycline antibiotics
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. MINOCYCLINE can cause damage to your unborn babies bones and teeth. If you get pregnant while taking MINOCYCLINE contact to your healthcare professional immediately.
- are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. MINOCYCLINE passes into human milk and can cause damage to your babies bones and teeth. You should not breastfeed while taking MINOCYLCINE.
- have liver or kidney problems
- have the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis
are lactose intolerant or have one of the following rare hereditary diseases:
- Galactose intolerance
- Fructose intolerance
- Sucrose-isomaltase insufficiency
- Lapp lactase deficiency
- Glucose-galactose malabsorption
Because lactose is a non-medicinal ingredient in MINOCYCLINE.
MINOCYCLINE is not recommended for children under 13 years old.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take MINOCYCLINE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have liver or kidney problems
- have the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus
- suffer from allergies, asthma, hay fever or itchy skin rashes. You may be more likely to experience side effects while taking MINOCYCLINE.
- are also taking a penicillin antibiotic
- are taking birth control pills. MINOCYLCINE may make your birth control pills less effective. Talk to your healthcare professional about using a back-up method of birth control, such as condoms, while you are taking MINOCYCLINE.
Other warnings you should know about:
Sensitivity to Sunlight
MINOCYCLINE can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. While you are taking MINOCYCLINE avoid direct sunlight, sunlamps and tanning beds. If you develop any skin redness or discomfort while taking MINOCYCLINE, contact your healthcare professional immediately.
Driving and Using Machines
MINOCLYCLINE can cause headaches, light-headedness, dizziness, ringing in the ears and vertigo (feeling like you’re spinning). Use caution when driving or using dangerous machinery while taking MINOCYCLINE.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects, in some cases causing death, have been seen in people taking MINOCYLCINE. If you have any of the following symptoms stop taking MINOCYLCINE and seek immediate medical help.
- Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) with skin rashes: rash, skin redness, peeling skin, blisters on your nose, mouth, eyes or genitals, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fever, swollen lymph nodes combined with any of the following: liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite), lung problems (flu-like symptoms, cough, shortness of breath), kidney problems (decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of extremities, fatigue), heart problems (chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, fatigue)
- Lupus-like syndrome: joint and muscle pain, fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, inflammation around the lungs or heart that causes pain or discomfort
- Serum-sickness syndrome: fever, generally feeling unwell, hives, itching, rash, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with MINOCYCLINE:
- penicillin antibiotics, used to treat infections
- acne medicines known as retinoids
- quinapril, used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure
- blood thinners, used to prevent blood clots
- birth control pills, MINOCYCLINE may make your birth control pills less effective.
- diuretics or “water pills” used to treat high blood pressure
- medicines used to treat migraines called ergot alkaloids
- antacids containing aluminum calcium, magnesium, bismuth or iron containing products
- magnesium or zinc salts
How to take MINOCYCLINE:
- Although you may feel better early in treatment, MINOCYCLINE should be used exactly as directed.
- Misuse or overuse of MINOCYCLINE could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by MINOCYCLINE (resistance).This means that MINOCYCLINE may not work for you in the future.
- Do not share your medicine.
Usual Dose:
Children 13 years of age and older: Your healthcare professional will tell you how much MINOCYCLINE to give your child and how often based on their body weight.
Adults: 100 mg or 200 mg to start followed by 100 mg every 12 hours.
Overdose:
| If you think you have taken too much MINOCYCLINE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
Missed Dose:
If you forget to take a dose of MINOCYCLINE take it as soon as you remember.
What are possible side effects from using MINOCYCLINE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking MINOCYCLINE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- light-headedness, dizziness, vertigo (feeling like you’re spinning or losing your balance)
- headache
- loss of appetite, constipation
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- indigestion
- trouble swallowing
- inflammation or sores in the mouth, lips and/or tongue
- joint swelling, pain and stiffness, aching muscles
- rash, itching
- cough
- sleepiness
- fever
MINOCYCLINE can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| RARE | |||
| Fainting | √ | ||
| Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | √ | ||
| Inflammation or ulcers of the food pipe (esophagus): trouble swallowing, pain when swallowing, sore throat, hoarse voice, heartburn, chest pain that is worse with eating, nausea | √ | ||
| Kidney problems: decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of extremities, fatigue | √ | ||
| Unusual hair loss or thinning | √ | ||
| Increased sensitivity of the skin to sun | √ | ||
| Discolouration of the nails, skin, tongue, gums, lips or teeth | √ | ||
| Shortness of breath | √ | ||
| VERY RARE | |||
| Pseudomembranous colitis: watery, bloody diarrhea, mucus in the stool, abdominal cramps and pain, fever | √ | ||
| Angioedema: swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, throat, arms or legs, trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, itching, hives, rash on the hands, arms and feet, fever, abdominal cramps | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) with skin rashes: rash, skin redness, peeling skin, blisters on your nose, mouth, eyes or genitals, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, fever, swollen lymph nodes combined with any of the following: liver problems (yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite), lung problems (flu-like symptoms, cough, shortness of breath), kidney problems (decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of extremities, fatigue), heart problems (chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles or feet, fatigue) | √ | ||
| Thyroid problems: weight changes, fatigue, heart palpitations, constipation, dry skin, joint or muscle pain | √ | ||
Yeast infections: Oral: creamy white bumps on the tongue, cheeks, gums or throat that bleed when scraped, pain, trouble swallowing, bad taste in the mouth Genital and Anal: genital (vagina or penis) or anal itching, burning during intercourse or urination, pain, redness, swelling, discharge | √ | ||
| Bronchospasm: pain, tightness and a feeling of constriction in the chest and back, trouble breathing, wheezing, coughing, dizziness | √ | ||
| NOT KNOWN | |||
| Hearing problems: buzzing, ringing or other persistent noise in ear, loss of hearing | √ | ||
| Tingling or numbness of the hands or feet | √ | ||
| Lupus-like syndrome: joint and muscle pain, fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, inflammation around the lungs or heart that causes pain or discomfort | √ | ||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure in the brain: headache, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, confusion | √ | ||
| Respiratory disorder: | |||
| Pneumonitis: flu-like symptoms, cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, fatigue | √ | ||
| Nervous system disorder: | |||
| Seizures or fits | √ | ||
| Gastrointestinal disorder: | |||
| Inflammation of the pancreas: abdominal pain that lasts and gets worse when you lie down, nausea, vomiting | √ | ||
| Immune system disorder: | |||
| Serum-sickness syndrome: fever, generally feeling unwell, hives, itching, rash, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes | √ | ||
| Blood disorder: | |||
| Hemolytic anemia: pale skin, yellow skin, eyes and mouth (jaundice), dark-coloured urine, fever, weakness, dizziness, confusion, reduced ability to exercise | √ | ||
| Low levels of white blood cells: infection, fatigue, fever, aches, pain, flu-like symptoms | √ | ||
| Low levels of blood platelets: bruising, bleeding, fatigue, weakness | √ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting Side Effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Store at controlled room temperature 15°C to 30°C. Protect from light.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about MINOCYCLINE:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp) the manufacturer’s website https://www.aapharma.ca/en/, or by calling 1-877-998-9097.