Health Library

Minocycline (By injection)

Minocycline (min-oh-SYE-kleen)

Treats infections. This medicine is a tetracycline antibiotic.

Brand Name(s):

Minocin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how minocycline works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Isotretinoin, methoxyflurane, penicillin
  • Birth control pills
  • Blood thinner (such as warfarin)
  • Ergot medicines

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• This medicine may cause birth defects if either partner is using it during conception or pregnancy. Tell your doctor right away if you or your partner becomes pregnant. Birth control pills may not work as well when used with this medicine. Use a second form of birth control to avoid pregnancy.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease or liver disease.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Permanent change in tooth color (in children younger than 8 years old)
  • Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure in the head)
  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Liver problems
• This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Joint pain, fever, rash, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Severe diarrhea that may contain blood
• Severe headache, vision loss, vision changes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Darkening of your skin, teeth, or gums
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024