Minocycline Tablets 50mg, 100mg

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Minocycline 50mg and 100mg tablets

1 What Minocycline tablets are and what they are used for

Minocycline belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics. It is also known as a broad-spectrum antibiotic and may be used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria.

Minocycline may be used for:

• respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia, bronchiectasis, lung abscess or bronchitis
• urinary tract infections
• gonorrhoea (a sexually transmitted disease)
• skin infections such as moderate to severe acne
• infections of the eye
• prostate infections
• ear, nose and throat infections
• nocardiosis (an infection often affecting the lungs)
• pelvic inflammatory disease (e.g. salpingitis, oophoritis)
• preventative treatment for meningitis carriers
• preventative treatment before and after surgery.

2 Before you take

Do not take Minocycline tablets and tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic (hypersensitive) to minocycline hydrochloride, other similar antibiotics (such as tetracycline or doxycycline) or any other ingredient in Minocycline tablets (see section 6)
• have had complete kidney failure
• are pregnant or breast-feeding
• are giving it to a child under 12 years old.

Take special care with Minocycline tablets and tell your doctor if you:

• suffer from myasthenia gravis, a condition characterised by muscle weakness, difficulty chewing and swallowing and slurred speech
• have impaired liver or kidney function
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a condition characterised by a rash (especially on the face), hair loss, fever, a feeling of general discomfort and illness and joint pain
• suffer from increased pressure in the skull (intercranial hypertension)
• are sensitive to sunlight or artifical light (e.g. sunbeds).

3 How to take

Always take Minocycline tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water, while standing or sitting down.

4 Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Minocycline tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking the tablets immediately and seek urgent medical advice if the following occur:

• allergic reactions (anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity): rash, blood spots, bruising and discolouring to the skin (purpura), shock, death, flaky skin (exfoliative dermatitis), increase in the number of white blood cells and one or more of the following: inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection (pneumonitis), inflammation of the kidneys, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or membrane around the heart (pericarditis). Fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Lupus-like syndrome: presence of antinuclear antibodies in the blood, joint pain (arthralgia), inflammation (arthritis) stiffness or swelling of joints and one or more of the following: fever, muscle pain (myalgia), inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), skin rash, inflammation of blood vessels.
• Serum sickness-like syndrome: fever, itchy skin rash, rash, joint pain (arthralgia), inflammation (arthritis) stiffness or swelling of joints, increase in the number of white blood cells.
• raised pressure in the skull: headache, visual problems including blurred vision, “blind” spots, double vision, permanent loss of vision. Bulging of the skull can occur in infants.
• growth of bacteria resistant to tetracyclines: inflammation of the intestines, inflammation of the tongue and mouth, inflammation of the female genitals causing itching, discharge or pain on passing urine, irritation around your bottom, stomach upset.
• sensitivity to sunlight or artificial light (e.g. sunbeds). Symptoms include tingling, burning or redness of the skin. If symptoms occur avoid direct exposure to sunlight or artificial light.
• development or worsening of existing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), symptoms include large areas of red scaly patches on the face, hair loss, weight loss, painful joints and fever.
• symptoms of liver damage: fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, fever.
• a change in colour of the skin, nails, teeth, mucous membrane of the mouth, bones, thyroid, eyes, secretions including breast milk, tears or sweat (hyperpigmentation).
• difficulty breathing including wheezing or worsening of asthma.

Tell your doctor if the following side effects occur:

• Effects on the stomach and gastrointestinal tract: feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, underdevelopment of tooth enamel, inflammation of the tongue, mouth or intestines, difficulty swallowing, inflammation or ulceration of the gullet, indigestion, pseudomembranous colitis (watery diarrhoea, fever and cramps).
• Effects on the liver and kidneys: inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), kidneys or pancreas (pancreatitis), liver failure, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), abnormal liver function test results, acute kidney failure.
• Effects on the blood: increased levels of urea in the blood, blood vessel inflammation, changes in the numbers and types of your blood cells. If you notice increased bruising, nosebleeds, sore throats, infections, excessive tiredness, breathlessness on exertion or abnormal paleness of the skin, you should tell your doctor who may want you to have a blood test
• Effects on the immune system: inflammation and weakening of blood vessels (polyarteritis nodosa).
• Effects on the nervous system: dizziness, headache, tingling or pins and needles in the hands and feet, feeling of dizziness or spinning (vertigo), decreased sensitivity to touch, fits, drowsiness.
• Effects on the skin: hair loss, skin reactions including red patches (erythema multiforme), skin rash which may be itchy with or without pale or red raised patches, severe skin rash with flushing, fever, blisters or ulcers (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), a severe rash with reddening, peeling and swelling of the skin that resembles burns (toxic epidermal necrolysis), red lumps on the legs (erythema nodosum), flaky skin (exfoliative dermatitis).
• Effects on breathing: inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection (pneumonitis), cough, increase in the number of white blood cells in the lungs.
• Effects on muscles and bones: joint pain (arthralgia), inflammation (arthritis) stiffness or swelling of joints, muscle pain (myalgia).
• Other: fever, inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or membrane around the heart (percarditis), impaired hearing, ringing in the ears, thrush around your bottom, genital area or mouth, inflammation of male genitals, changes in thyroid function, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), if you already suffer from SLE Minocycline tablets may make your condition worse.

If you notice any side effects, they get worse, or if you notice any not listed, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

5 How to store

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

Store below 25°C in a dry place.

Protect from light.

Do not use Minocycline tablets after the expiry date stated on the label/carton/bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6 Further information