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Minocin
Generic Name: minocycline
Brand Name: minocin
Indications
Minocin is indicated in the treatment of infections due to susceptible strains of micro-organisms and to reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Dosage and Administration
Minocin Capsules are available for oral administration in strengths of 50 mg or 100 mg. Minocin Oral Suspension contains minocycline HCl equivalent to 50 mg of minocycline per 5 mL (10 mg/mL). It is also available as 100 Mg/Vial Intravenous Injection.
Normal Dosage:
For Pediatric Patients Above 8 Years Of Age
Usual pediatric dose: 4 mg/kg initially followed by 2 mg/kg every 12 hours, not to exceed the usual adult dose.
Adults
The usual dosage of Minocin Capsules is 200 mg initially followed by 100 mg every 12 hours. Alternatively, if more frequent doses are preferred, two or four 50 mg pellet-filled capsules may be given initially followed by one 50 mg capsule 4 times daily.
Overdose: Overdose may result in loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or ringing in the ears.
Drug Description
Minocin minocycline hydrochloride, is a semisynthetic derivative of tetracycline, 4,7-Bis(dimethylamino)1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro-3,10,12,12a-tetrahydroxy-1,11-dioxo-2-naphthacenecarboxamide monohydrochloride.
Its structural formula is:
Side effects
The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhoea.
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia).
- Throat irritation.
- Dizziness.
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo).
- Skin reactions such as rash and itch.
- Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity).
- Staining of skin, nails, teeth, sweat, tears, eyes, breast milk (see warning above).
- Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, which may cause infection such as thrush.
- Loss of appetite.
- Sensation of ringing, or other noise in the ears (tinnitus).
- Pins and needles sensations.
- Hair loss.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Raised pressure within the skull (consult your doctor if you get a severe persistant headache, or double or blurred vision while taking this medicine).
- Liver disorders (consult your doctor if you experience yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) while taking this medicine).
- Blood disorders (consult your doctor if you experience bruising, sore throats or infections while taking this medicine).
Precautions
- Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking Minocycline as they may decrease the effectiveness of Minocycline.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial UV light (e.g., tanning beds). Minocin may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and severe burning may result. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen if exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
- Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Minocycline so it is important that you inform your doctor of all prescription and over-the-counter medicines that you are taking.
- Do not take Minocin 100 mg if you are also taking penicillin antibiotics.
- Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking birth control pills, vitamins and minerals (e.g., magnesium, aluminum, calcium, iron, and zinc), quinapril, didanosine, antacids, sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, digoxin, or anticoagulants.
Drug Interactions
- Before taking Minocin 100 mg, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- Cholestyramine (Questran) or Colestipol (Colestid)
- Antacids such as Tums, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, or Maalox
- Any product that contains bismuth subsalicylate such as Pepto-Bismol
- Minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements
- Didanosine (Videx)
- A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- Sucralfate (Carafate)
- Penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, others)
- Penicillin (BeePen-VK, Pen-Vee K, Veetids, others), dicloxacillin (Dynapen), carbenicillin (Geocillin), oxacillin (Bactocill)
- Methoxyflurane (an inhaled anesthetic gas used during surgery).
- Minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Therefore, you should use a second method of birth control while taking Minocin to ensure protection from unintended pregnancy.
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