minocycline topical
What is the most important information I should know about minocycline topical?
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
What is minocycline topical?
Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic.
Minocycline topical (for the skin) is used to treat severe acne in adults and children at least 9 years old.
Minocycline topical is also used to treat rosacea in adults.
This medicine is not for use in treating a skin infection.
Minocycline topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using minocycline topical?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to minocycline or to similar antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
- increased pressure inside your skull; or
- if you are currently having diarrhea or watery stools.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although it is not known whether minocycline applied to the skin is harmful to an unborn baby, taking minocycline by mouth during the second or third trimester of pregnancy may cause bone growth problems in the unborn baby, or permanent tooth discoloration later in life.
You should not breastfeed while using minocycline topical.
How should I use minocycline topical?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Shake the foam canister well just before each use.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Minocycline topical is usually applied once per day, at least 1 hour before bedtime. Apply only a small amount of topical foam to affected skin areas.
Try to use the medicine at the same time each day.
Do not bathe or shower or swim for at least 1 hour after you have applied minocycline topical.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not keep this medicine in a refrigerator.
Minocycline topical foam is refrigerated at the pharmacy before you receive it. You may be instructed to continue storing the canister in a refrigerator at home, until you first start using the medicine. When you begin using a canister for the first time, allow it to reach room temperature before you apply the medicine. Once you start using a canister, keep storing it at room temperature for up to 90 days and then throw it away, even if there is still medicine left inside.
Minocycline topical foam is flammable. Do not use near high heat or open flame. Do not smoke until the medicine has completely dried on your skin.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of minocycline topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
What should I avoid while using minocycline topical?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.
Minocycline topical could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.
What are the possible side effects of minocycline topical?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Serious side effects are unlikely when minocycline topical is applied to the skin, but can occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody (even if it occurs months after your last dose);
- severe dizziness;
- confusion, headache, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
- fever, swollen glands, itching, joint pain, or not feeling well;
- discoloration of your skin, nails, eyes, mouth, gums, or teeth.
- liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- lupus-like symptoms --muscle or joint pain, flu symptoms, chest pain, and a rash or patchy skin color that worsens in sunlight.
Minocycline can affect growth in children, especially if used long term.
Common side effects may include:
- diarrhea; or
- headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect minocycline topical?
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- isotretinoin;
- a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
- a penicillin antibiotic --amoxicillin, ampicillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, Augmentin, Prevpac, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect minocycline topical, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about minocycline topical.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.01. Revision date: 2/15/2021.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.