Minocycline

Minocycline is used for treatment of certain infections.

Product dosage: 50mg
Package (num)	Per pill	Price	Buy
30	$3.00	$90.00 (0%)	🛒 Add to cart
45	$2.73	$135.00 $123.00 (9%)	🛒 Add to cart
60	$2.60	$180.00 $156.00 (13%)	🛒 Add to cart
90	$2.48	$270.00 $223.00 (17%)	🛒 Add to cart
120	$2.42	$360.00 $290.00 (19%)	🛒 Add to cart
180	$2.34	$540.00 $422.00 (22%)	🛒 Add to cart
270	$2.30 Best per pill	$810.00 $622.00 (23%)	🛒 Add to cart

Minocycline is a broad-spectrum tetracycline-class antibiotic indicated for the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections. It functions by inhibiting protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria, effectively halting their growth and proliferation. This semi-synthetic derivative offers enhanced lipid solubility, resulting in improved tissue penetration and a broader antimicrobial spectrum compared to earlier tetracyclines. It is particularly valued in clinical practice for its efficacy against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as certain atypical pathogens.

Features

• Active pharmaceutical ingredient: Minocycline hydrochloride
• Drug class: Tetracycline antibiotic
• Administration: Oral and intravenous formulations available
• Spectrum: Broad-spectrum activity against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria
• Bioavailability: High oral absorption, not significantly affected by food
• Half-life: Approximately 11–23 hours in adults with normal renal function

Benefits

• Effectively treats moderate to severe bacterial infections including respiratory tract infections, skin/soft tissue infections, and sexually transmitted diseases
• Demonstrates excellent tissue penetration, including penetration into cerebrospinal fluid, prostate, and bronchial secretions
• Provides convenient twice-daily dosing for most indications due to extended half-life
• Shows activity against antibiotic-resistant strains including some community-acquired MRSA
• May be used as alternative therapy for patients with penicillin allergies
• Exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that may provide additional benefits in certain dermatological conditions

Common use

Minocycline is commonly prescribed for the treatment of various bacterial infections caused by susceptible microorganisms. Primary indications include acne vulgaris when antibiotic therapy is warranted, respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Klebsiella species. It is also effective against skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (as alternative therapy), and Rickettsial diseases. Additionally, minocycline may be used as prophylactic treatment against meningococcal meningitis in asymptomatic carriers.

Dosage and direction

Adults: The usual adult dosage is 200 mg initially, followed by 100 mg every 12 hours. Alternatively, 100 or 200 mg initially followed by 50 mg four times daily may be used. For severe infections, an initial dose of 200 mg followed by 100 mg every 12 hours is recommended.

Children above 8 years: 4 mg/kg initially followed by 2 mg/kg every 12 hours.

Dosage should be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. For patients with renal impairment (creatinine clearance <80 mL/min), the recommended dosage should be decreased by reducing the individual doses and/or increasing the time interval between doses.

Administration should occur with adequate fluid to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration. While minocycline absorption is not significantly affected by food, administration with food or milk may reduce gastrointestinal upset.

Therapy should be continued for at least 24–48 hours after symptoms and fever have subsided. For streptococcal infections, therapy should continue for 10 days to prevent development of rheumatic fever or glomerulonephritis.

Precautions

Patients should be advised that minocycline may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. Caution should be exercised when driving, operating machinery, or performing activities requiring alertness.

This medication may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Patients should be advised to use sunscreen and protective clothing when exposed to the sun and to avoid excessive sun exposure.

As with other antibiotics, minocycline may cause overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, appropriate measures should be taken.

Minocycline should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment as the liver is the primary route of elimination. Periodic laboratory evaluation of organ systems, including hematopoietic, renal, and hepatic studies, should be performed during long-term therapy.

The use of minocycline during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of teeth (yellow-gray-brown).

Contraindications

Minocycline is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any tetracycline antibiotic. Cross-sensitivity among different tetracycline derivatives may occur.

This medication is contraindicated in children under 8 years of age unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks in situations such as anthrax exposure or Rocky Mountain spotted fever where no alternative therapy exists.

Use during pregnancy is generally contraindicated except for life-threatening infections where safer antibiotics cannot be used or are ineffective, due to risk of fetal harm including inhibition of bone growth and permanent tooth discoloration.

Possible side effect

Common side effects (≥1%): Gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia; dizziness; vertigo; skin rash including photosensitivity reactions.

Less common side effects (0.1–1%): Glossitis, stomatitis, black hairy tongue, enterocolitis, pancreatic inflammation, pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension), tooth discoloration in children, hematologic abnormalities, hepatic toxicity, serum sickness-like reactions.

Rare but serious side effects (<0.1%): Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), autoimmune syndromes including lupus-like syndrome, hepatitis, pancreatitis, anaphylaxis, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea.

Long-term use may rarely cause blue-black discoloration of skin, nails, bones, thyroid, and oral mucosa, which may be permanent.

Drug interaction

Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; iron preparations; bismuth subsalicylate: May decrease minocycline absorption through chelation. Administer minocycline 2 hours before or 4–6 hours after these products.

Warfarin: Minocycline may potentiate the anticoagulant effect, requiring more frequent monitoring of prothrombin time.

Oral contraceptives: Minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of estrogen-containing oral contraceptives, potentially leading to breakthrough bleeding or contraceptive failure. Alternative contraceptive methods should be considered during therapy.

Penicillins: Minocycline may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillins, so concomitant use is generally not recommended.

Methoxyflurane: Concomitant use with tetracyclines may result in fatal renal toxicity.

Isotretinoin: Concurrent use with minocycline may increase the risk of pseudotumor cerebri.

Lithium: Minocycline may increase lithium concentrations and potential toxicity.

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Doubling the dose to make up for a missed dose is not recommended. Patients should be advised to maintain as regular a dosing schedule as possible to maintain constant drug levels for optimal antibacterial effect.

Overdose

Minocycline overdose may manifest as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. No specific antidote exists. Management should be supportive and symptomatic. Gastric lavage may be considered if performed soon after ingestion. Hemodialysis is not effective for removing minocycline due to its high protein binding and extensive tissue distribution. Medical attention should be sought immediately in cases of suspected overdose.

Storage

Store at room temperature (20–25°C or 68–77°F) in a tight, light-resistant container. Keep away from moisture and heat. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use after the expiration date printed on the packaging. Discard any unused medication properly according to local guidelines for medication disposal.

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The manufacturer and publisher are not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any consequences from application of the information in this document.

Reviews

“Minocycline has been a cornerstone in my dermatology practice for moderate to severe inflammatory acne. The twice-daily dosing improves compliance, and I’ve observed excellent response rates in patients who failed previous antibiotic therapies.” — Dermatologist, 15 years experience

“As an infectious disease specialist, I value minocycline for its tissue penetration properties, particularly in prosthetic joint infections where biofilm penetration is crucial. The spectrum coverage against atypical pathogens makes it valuable in complex cases.” — Infectious Disease Specialist, 12 years experience

“While effective, I carefully monitor patients on long-term minocycline therapy for potential side effects, particularly autoimmune phenomena and pigmentation changes. The benefit-risk ratio must be carefully considered for each patient.” — Rheumatologist, 18 years experience

“Minocycline remains an important option for community-acquired pneumonia in areas with high penicillin resistance. The oral bioavailability allows for effective step-down therapy from IV antibiotics.” — Pulmonologist, 10 years experience