This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
CoreMino [DSC]; Minocin; Minolira; Solodyn; Ximino [DSC]
Brand Names: Canada
CO Minocycline; TEVA-Minocycline [DSC]
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat or prevent bacterial infections.
- It is used to treat pimples (acne).
- It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child is taking any of these drugs: Acitretin, isotretinoin, or a penicillin.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- If your child may become pregnant or father a child.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- If your child is pregnant or may be pregnant. Some forms of this drug are not for use during pregnancy.
- Your child may need to avoid breast-feeding a baby.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your child’s health care providers and lab workers that your child takes this drug.
- Do not give to your child longer than you have been told. A second infection may happen.
- This drug may make your child sunburn more easily. Use care if your child will be in the sun. Tell your child’s doctor if your child sunburns easily while taking this drug.
- This drug may cause a change in tooth color to yellow-gray-brown in children younger than 8 years old. If this change of tooth color happens, it will not go away. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. Be sure your child uses some other kind of birth control also, like a condom, when taking this drug.
If your child is pregnant:
- This drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if your child takes it during pregnancy. If your child is pregnant or gets pregnant while taking this drug, call the doctor right away.
All extended-release products:
- This drug is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years old. Talk with the doctor.
- Do not give to a child younger than 8 years of age.
All other products:
- Most of the time, this drug is not for use in children younger than 8 years old. However, there may be times when these children may need to take this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
All products:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
- Signs of lupus like a rash on the cheeks or other body parts, sunburn easy, muscle or joint pain, chest pain or shortness of breath, or swelling in the arms or legs.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
- Change in hearing.
- Joint pain or swelling.
- Muscle pain or weakness.
- Ringing in ears.
- Seizures.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest pain.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Swelling.
- Change in color of nails, skin, eyes, scars, teeth, or gums to a darker color.
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Redness or white patches in mouth or throat.
- Rectal irritation.
- Genital irritation.
- Vaginal itching or discharge.
- Diarrhea is common with antibiotics. Rarely, a severe form called C diff–associated diarrhea (CDAD) may happen. Sometimes, this has led to a deadly bowel problem. CDAD may happen during or a few months after taking antibiotics. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has stomach pain, cramps, or very loose, watery, or bloody stools. Check with your child’s doctor before treating diarrhea.
- Liver problems have happened with this drug. Sometimes, these have been deadly. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
- Raised pressure in the brain has happened with this drug. Most of the time, this will go back to normal after this drug is stopped. Sometimes, loss of eyesight may happen and may not go away even after this drug is stopped. Call the doctor right away if your child has a headache or eyesight problems like blurred eyesight, seeing double, or loss of eyesight.
- Cases of thyroid cancer have been reported with long-term use of this drug. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has lasting hoarseness, a neck mass, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
- Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
Injection:
- Flushing.
- Sweating a lot.
- Severe dizziness or passing out.
- Trouble moving around.
- Feeling cold.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
All products:
- Diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up.
- Decreased appetite.
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
Injection:
- Irritation where the shot is given.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
All oral products:
- Keep using this drug as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child’s signs get better.
- Give this drug at the same time of day.
- Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
- Do not give products that have iron in them or products like antacids that have aluminum, calcium, or magnesium in them at the same time as this drug. Talk with the doctor or pharmacist.
- Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your child’s doctor.
Tablets and capsules:
- Have your child swallow whole with a full glass of water.
Extended-release capsules:
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
- Give this drug with a full glass of water.
Extended-release tablets:
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew or crush.
- Give this drug with a full glass of water.
- Some products may be broken in half. If you are not sure if you can break this product in half, talk with the doctor.
Injection:
- It is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
All oral products:
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
Injection:
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
All oral products:
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Protect from heat and light.
- Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
Injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-02-05
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