Minocycline

Oral Antibiotic
Compare To Other Treatments

The following side effects are expected to occur with the use of minocycline. Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe and/or do not go away:

How Common (based on clinical studies)

HeadacheUp to 23% of all users
DizzinessUp to 9% of all users
Fatigue or tirednessUp to 9% of all users
DiarrheaUp to 8.2% of all users
Heartburn or indigestionUp to 8.2% of all users
Nausea and/or vomitingUp to 6.1% of all users
ItchingUp to 5% of all users
Increased menstrual crampsUp to 3.6% of all users
Changes in moodUp to 3% of all users
Acne flaresUp to 2.7% of all users
Itching or irritation in the rectum or vaginaUp to 2% of all users
Hair lossUp to 2% of all users
Ringing in the earsUp to 2% of all users
Increased sleepiness or drowsinessUp to 2% of all users
Weight gainUp to 2% of all users
Oral thrush (fungal infection of the mouth)Up to 1.5% of all users
Increased sensitivity to UV rays (photosensitivity)Up to 1.4% of all users
Mouth ulcersUp to 1.2% of all users
Muscle painUp to 1% of all users
Dryness in the mouthUp to 1% of all users
Changes in the color of urine or tearsUnknown
Swelling of the tongueUnknown
Soreness or irritation in the throatUnknown
Irritation or inflammation at the tip of the penisUnknown
Discoloration of skin, nails, gums, teeth, or scarsUnknown
Prickling or tingling sensation or numbness over any part of the bodyUnknown

Minocycline may cause some side effects that are serious. If you experience any of the following, get in touch with your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:

  • Rash on the face or any other part of the body
  • Skin peeling and/or blistering
  • A sudden appearance of swelling and rash (known as hives)
  • Headache
  • Blurring of vision or any other changes to vision such as seeing double or loss of vision
  • Swelling of eyes, lips, tongue, throat, or face
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Feeling short of breath
  • Chest pain and/or abnormal or irregular heartbeat
  • Watery stools, blood in stool, fever, or abdominal cramps during the treatment period or up to two or more months after stopping minocycline
  • Decrease in urination
  • Seizures
  • These symptoms occurring together: yellow discoloration of skin or eyes, itching, dark-colored urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, pale stools, extreme fatigue, confusion
  • Abnormal bruising or bleeding
  • Blood in the urine
  • Signs of infection, such as fever and sore throat
  • Swelling of glands (lymph nodes)
  • Pain, swelling, or stiffness in the joints

Minocycline may also cause other side effects that are not mentioned here. Contact your doctor if you experience any other troublesome symptoms when using minocycline.

References
  1. Up to date. Minocycline: drug information. Available from:  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/minocycline-drug-information?source=preview&search=minocycline&anchor=F196861#F196861. Cited 2. November, 2024.
  2. Stainforth J, et al. A single-blind comparison of topical erythromycin/ zinc lotion and oral minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris. J. Dermatological Treatment 4(3), 119-122 (1993).
  3. Grosshans E, Belaïch S, Meynadier J, Alirezai M, and Thomas L. A comparison of the efficacy and safety of lymecycline and minocycline in patients with moderately severe acne vulgaris. Eur. J. Dermatol. 8(3), 161-6 (1998).
  4. Piérard-Franchimont C, et al. Lymecycline and minocycline in inflammatory acne: a randomized, double-blind intent-to-treat study on clinical and in vivo antibacterial efficacy. Skin Pharmacol. Appl. Skin Physiol. 15(2), 112-9 (2002).
  5. Bossuyt L, et al. Lymecycline in the treatment of acne: an efficacious, safe and cost-effective alternative to minocycline. Eur. J. Dermatol. 13(2), 130-5 (2003).
  6. Hayashi N, and Kawashima M. Efficacy of oral antibiotics on acne vulgaris and their effects on quality of life: a multicenter randomized controlled trial using minocycline, roxithromycin and faropenem. J. Dermatol. 38(2), 111-9 (2011).
  7. Torok HM. Extended-release formulation of minocycline in the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients over the age of 12 years. J. Clin. Aesthet. Dermatol. 6(7), 19-22 (2013).
  8. Ocampo-Candiani J, Velazquez-Arenas LL, de la Fuente-Garcia A, Trevino-Gomezharper C, and Berber A. Safety and efficacy comparison of minocycline microgranules vs lymecycline in the treatment of mild to moderate acne: randomized, evaluator-blinded, parallel, and prospective clinical trial for 8 weeks. J. Drugs Dermatol. 13(6), 671-6 (2014).
  9. Harrison PV. A comparison of docycycline and minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 13(4), 242-4 (1988).
  10. Monk BE, et al. Efficacy of low-dose cyproterone acetate compared with minocycline in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 12(5), 319-22 (1987).
  11. DailMed. Minocycline. Available from: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=MINOCYCLINE&pagesize Cited 2. November, 2024.
  12. Garner SE, Eady A, Bennett C, Newton JN, Thomas K, Popescu CM. Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1(8), CD002086 (20212).
  13. Dominic MR. Adverse Reactions Induced by Minocycline: A Review of Literature. Curr Drug Saf. 16(3), 309-21 (2021).