Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Minocycline. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Minocycline with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Minocycline. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• cramps or burning of the stomach
• Diarrhea
• itching of the rectal or genital areas
• sore mouth or tongue

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• abdominal pain
• bulging soft spot on head of infants
• diarrhea (severe)
• headache
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• visual changes
• yellowing of the skin

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a serious skin reaction (such as a severe blistering skin rash that causes the skin to peel or fall off; Fever; or bloodshot eyes)
• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (such as Hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Minocycline.

Minocycline is available as 50 mg and 100 mg capsules.

Do not take Minocycline if you are allergic to minocycline, other antibiotics in the tetracycline family (e.g., doxycycline), or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between minocycline and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium
• birth control pills
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• calcium supplements
• Cholestyramine
• Colestipol
• Digoxin
• iron and iron-containing vitamins
• penicillins (e.g., Penicillin V, amoxicillin, ampicillin)
• potassium citrate
• Quinapril
• retinoic acid derivatives (e.g., acitretin, tretinoin)
• sodium bicarbonate or citrate
• Sucralfate
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Minocycline. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Minocycline.

Birth control pills: When you use birth control pills at the same time as minocycline, they may be less effective, and you may experience an increased risk of breakthrough bleeding. Your doctor may advise that you use a second form of birth control while taking Minocycline.

Diarrhea: Minocycline may infrequently cause a condition called pseudomembranous colitis (serious diarrhea caused by antibiotics). If you develop severe diarrhea after starting Minocycline, even several weeks after treatment, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Discoloration of teeth: The use of minocycline during tooth development (from the last trimester of pregnancy to the age of 13 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown). Though more commonly associated with long-term use of tetracyclines, this effect has also been known to occur after taking the medication for a short time. For this reason, minocycline should not be used by children 13 years old or younger unless other medications are unlikely to be effective or can't be used.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: People who take minocycline may experience Headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, or loss of balance. Decreased hearing has been reported rarely by those who take Minocycline. These symptoms may disappear during therapy and usually disappear rapidly when the medication is stopped. Avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving vehicles or using hazardous machinery if the medication affects you in this way.

Medical conditions: If you have liver disease or Lupus, discuss with your doctor how Minocycline may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Minocycline, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Overgrowth of organisms: The use of antibiotics may occasionally result in an overgrowth of organisms not killed by medication. This can cause conditions such as yeast infections to occur for some women. Women may be able to prevent yeast infections by eating yogurt daily while taking minocycline.

Sun sensitivity: An exaggerated Sunburn reaction may occur for some people taking minocycline. If skin redness appears, stop taking the medication and check with your doctor.

Pregnancy: Minocycline should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Minocycline, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Minocycline passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking minocycline, it may affect your baby. Do not breast-feed while taking Minocycline.

Children: Minocycline is not recommended for use by children younger than 13 years of age.