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MINOCIN®
[my-no-sin]
(minocycline hydrochloride) Pellet-Filled Capsules 50 and 100 mg

Read the Patient Information that comes with MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules before you or a family member starts taking it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or treatment.

What is MINOCIN® (minocycline) ?

MINOCIN® (minocycline) is a tetracycline-class antibiotic medicine. MINOCIN® (minocycline) is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria. These include infections of the skin, respiratory tract, urinary tract, some sexually transmitted diseases, and others. MINOCIN® (minocycline) may be used along with other treatments for severe acne.

Sometimes, other germs, called viruses cause infections. The common cold is a virus. MINOCIN® (minocycline) , like other antibiotics, does not treat viruses.

Who should not use MINOCIN® (minocycline) ?

Do not take MINOCIN® if you are allergic to minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medications if you are not sure. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in MINOCIN® (minocycline) .

MINOCIN® (minocycline) is not recommended for pregnant women or children up to 8 years old because:

1. MINOCIN® (minocycline) may harm an unborn baby
2. MINOCIN® (minocycline) may permanently turn a baby's or child's teeth yellow-gray-brown during tooth development. Tooth development happens in the last half of pregnancy and birth to age 8 year.

What should I tell my doctor before starting MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules?

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver or kidney problems
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. MINOCIN® (minocycline) may harm your unborn baby. Stop taking MINOCIN® (minocycline) and call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking it.
• are breast feeding. MINOCIN® (minocycline) passes into your milk and may harm your baby. You should decide whether to use MINOCIN® (minocycline) or breastfeed, but not both.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking including prescription and non prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. MINOCIN® (minocycline) and other medicines may interact. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• birth control pills. MINOCIN® (minocycline) may make your birth control pills less effective
• a blood thinner medicine. The dose of your blood thinner may have to be lowered.
• a penicillin antibiotic medicine. MINOCIN® (minocycline) and penicillins should not be used together.
• Migraine medicines called ergot alkaloids
• An acne medicine called isotretinoin (Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret)
• Antacids that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, or iron-containing products.

Know the medicines you take, keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist each time you get a new medicine.

How should I take MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules?

• Take MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules exactly as your doctor tells you to take them. Skipping doses or not taking all your MINOCIN® (minocycline) may:
  Decrease the effectiveness of the treatment
  Increase the chance that bacteria will develop resistance to MINOCIN ®
• Take MINOCIN® (minocycline) with a full glass of liquid. Taking MINOCIN® (minocycline) with enough liquid may lower your chance of getting irritation or ulcers in your esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
• MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules may be taken with or without food. If you forget to take MINOCIN ® , take it as soon as you remember.
• If you take too much MINOCIN ® , call you doctor or poison control center right away.

What are the possible side effects of MINOCIN® (minocycline) ?

MINOCIN® (minocycline) may cause serious side effects. Stop MINOCIN® (minocycline) and call your doctor if you have:

• watery diarrhea
• bloody stools
• stomach cramps
• unusual headaches
• blurred vision
• fever
• rash
• joint pain
• feeling very tired

MINOCIN® (minocycline) may also cause:

• central nervous system effects. Symptoms include light-headedness, dizziness, and a spinning feeling (vertigo). You should not drive or operate machines if you have these symptoms.
• sun sensitivity (photosensitivity). You may get a worse sunburn with MINOCIN ® . Avoid sun exposure and the use of sunlamps or tanning beds. Protect your skin while out in the sunlight. Stop MINOCIN® (minocycline) and call your doctor if your skin turns red.

These are not all the side effects with MINOCIN® (minocycline) . Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should I store MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules?

• Store MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture.
• Throw away any MINOCIN® (minocycline) that is outdated or no longer needed.
• Keep MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules and all medicines out of the reach of children.

General advice about MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give MINOCIN® (minocycline) capsules to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them.

This Patient Information leaflet summarizes the most important information about MINOCIN® (minocycline) . If you would like more information, talk with your doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist can give you information about MINOCIN ® that is written for health care professionals. For more information, you can also call Triax Pharmaceutical, LLC at 866-48-TRIAX(87429) Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

What are the ingredients in MINOCIN® capsules?

Active ingredient: minocycline hydrochloride, 50 mg and 100 mg

Inactive ingredients: Blue 1, gelatin, titanium dioxide and yellow 10. The 50 mg capsule shells also contain black and yellow iron oxides.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/4/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.