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Minocycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Minocycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Minocycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Minocycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia and mycoplasma)**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 12-17 years 100 mg twice daily.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 100 mg twice daily.
**Acne**
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 12-17 years 100 mg once daily, alternatively 50 mg twice daily.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 100 mg once daily, alternatively 50 mg twice daily.
- **Child** (By Mouth Using Modified-Release Medicines): 12-17 years 100 mg daily.
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Modified-Release Medicines): 100 mg daily.
**Prophylaxis of asymptomatic meningococcal carrier state (but no longer recommended)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth Using Immediate-Release Medicines): 100 mg twice daily for 5 days, minocycline treatment is usually followed by administration of rifampicin.
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia and mycoplasma) for minocycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth using immediate-release medicines): 100 mg twice daily.
**Acne for minocycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth using immediate-release medicines): 100 mg once daily, alternatively 50 mg twice daily.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth using modified-release medicines): 100 mg daily.
Cautions
Myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness may be increased); systemic lupus erythematosus (may be exacerbated) Cautions For minocycline Systemic lupus erythematosus
Contraindications
Children under 12 years (deposition in growing bone and teeth, by binding to calcium, causes staining and occasionally dental hypoplasia)
Side effects
Common or very common Angioedema; diarrhoea; headache; Henoch-Schnlein purpura; hypersensitivity; nausea; pericarditis; photosensitivity reaction; skin reactions; systemic lupus erythematosus exacerbated; vomiting Uncommon Dizziness; pancreatitis Rare or very rare Appetite decreased; discolouration of thyroid gland; dysphagia; eosinophilia; fontanelle bulging (in infants); gastrointestinal disorders; glossitis; haemolytic anaemia; hepatic disorders; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; increased risk of infection; neutropenia; pseudomembranous enterocolitis; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; thrombocytopenia Frequency not known Tooth discolouration Side-effects, further information Headache and visual disturbances may indicate benign intracranial hypertension (discontinue treatment if raised intracranial pressure develops). Side-effects For minocycline Rare or very rare Acute kidney injury; hearing impairment; respiratory disorders; tinnitus Frequency not known Alopecia; arthralgia; ataxia; breast secretion; conjunctival discolouration; drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS); dyspepsia; hyperbilirubinaemia; hyperhidrosis; oral discolouration; polyarteritis nodosa; sensation abnormal; tear discolouration; tongue discolouration; vertigo
Pregnancy
Should not be given to pregnant women; effects on skeletal development have been documented in the first trimester in animal studies. Administration during the second or third trimester may cause discoloration of the child's teeth, and maternal hepatotoxicity has been reported with large parenteral doses.
Breast feeding
Should not be given to women who are breast-feeding (although absorption and therefore discoloration of teeth in the infant is probably usually prevented by chelation with calcium in milk).
Hepatic impairment
In general, manufacturers advise caution.
Renal impairment
Caution in severe impairment (risk of accumulation). M Dose adjustments Dose reduction may be required in severe impairment. M
Medicinal forms
Solution
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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