Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis What to Know About Minocin (Minocycline) Antibiotic With Anti-Inflammatory Properties By Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC linkedin Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC, is a pediatric ICU nurse and health journalist, as well as an adjunct clinical faculty member at hospitals in the Philadelphia area. Learn about our editorial process Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC Published on January 11, 2021 Print Table of Contents View All Uses Before Taking Dosage Side Effects Warnings Minocin (minocycline) is a second generation tetracycline antibiotic. It is used to treat gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial infections. It works to treat infections by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. It is taken in capsule form. Minocycline is currently the most effective tetracycline derivative at providing neuroprotection. It has anti-inflammatory effects and has been used off-label in treating rheumatoid arthritis. This antibiotic does not work against the common cold and other viruses. It's important to note that using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment. NoSystem images / Getty Images Uses Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections including: Urinary tract infectionsRespiratory infectionsSevere acneChlamydiaTick feverPlagueTularemia This antibiotic is considered a second line drug for those individuals with a penicillin allergy. For that reason it can be used to treat: GonorrheaSyphilisAnthraxFood poisoning Off-Label Uses Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, minocycline is sometimes used to treat mild rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the past, it was considered for new-onset RA. However, the 2015 American College of Rheumatology guidelines for treating RA dropped minocycline due to it rarely being used and there being no new studies on it. Currently, there is some research that indicates minocycline can be used off label for schizophrenia, psychotic symptoms, and bipolar depression. Additional studies are being conducted to further examine the effectiveness of minocycline in treating neurologic disorders such as : StrokeMultiple sclerosisSpinal-cord injuryParkinson’s diseaseHuntington’s diseaseAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis Before Taking It’s important to discuss with your medical provider all allergies to medications prior to taking a minocycline. Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to minocycline or tetracycline antibiotics. Other precautions and contraindications include: Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: anticoagulants, bromocriptine, cabergoline, dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, and penicillin.Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, lupus, intracranial hypertension cerebri, kidney or liver disease.Discuss with your doctor if you are currently on oral contraceptives and sexually active. Minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.Discuss with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant. Minocycline can harm the fetus. Talk to your doctor about all medications, supplements, and vitamins that you currently take. While some drugs pose minor interaction risks, others may outright contraindicate use or prompt careful consideration as to whether the pros of treatment outweigh the cons in your case. Other Tetracycline Antibiotics Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. Other tetracycline antibiotics include: LymecyclineMethacyclineRolitetracyclineDoxycyclineOxytetracyclineDemeclocyclineTigecyclineChlortetracyclineEravacyclineOmadacyclineSarecycline Dosage All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturer. Check your prescription and talk to your doctor to make sure you are taking the right dose for you. Adults: General dosing guidelines are 200 milligrams (mg) initially followed by 100 mg every 12 hours or take 100-200 mg initially followed by 50 mg capsule four times daily. Specific dosage for certain infections include: Uncomplicated gonococcal infections other than urethritis and anorectal infections in men: 200 mg initially, followed by 100 mg every 12 hours for a minimum of 4 daysUncomplicated gonococcal urethritis in men: 100 mg every 12 hours for 5 daysSyphilis: 200 mg initially followed by 100 mg every 12 hours for 10 to 15 days Pediatric patients above 8 years old: 4 mg/kg initially followed by 2 mg/kg every 12 hours How to Take and Store Exact dosage and frequency will be determined by your healthcare provider but the FDA suggests: Comes in capsule or tablet form.May be taken with or without food.Take with a full glass of liquid to decrease gastrointestinal upset.Take exactly as directed even if feeling better. Finish the entire prescription.Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.Take minocycline exactly as directed.Do not take two doses at the same time or extra doses. Follow these guidelines for storage: Store in the airtight original containerProtect from light, extreme heat, and extreme coldKeep away from moisture (i.e. bathroom)Keep away from children.Dispose of unused medication through a pharmacy or a medication disposal company.Once expired, dispose of medication. Side Effects As with all medications, there are possible side effects you may experience while taking minocycline. Common side effects include: NauseaVomitingDiarrheaItching of the rectum or vaginaChanges in color of skin, scars, nails, teeth or gums.Changes in color of tears or urineTinnitus (ringing in your ears)Hair lossXerostomia (dry mouth)Sore or irritated throatInflammation of the end of the penisMuscle painMood changesNumbness, tingling, or prickling sensation on skin While the aforementioned side effects are relatively common, if any of the symptoms are severe or do not go away it is important to contact your healthcare provider immediately. Even though these may be rare, minocycline does have side effects that require immediate medical attention as they can be life-threatening: HeadacheBlurred vision, seeing double, or loss of visionRashUrticaria (hives)Peeling or blistering skinAngioedema (swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes)Difficulty breathing or swallowingShortness of breathYellowing of the skin or eyesDark-colored urineLight-colored bowel movementsExtreme fatigueConfusionBloody urineJoint pain, stiffness or swellingSwollen lymph nodesUnusual bleeding or bruisingDecreased urinationA return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infectionWatery or bloody stools , stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatmentSeizuresChest pain or arrhythmias Warnings and Interactions Be aware of these: Minocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Alternative means of birth control should be used while on this medication to avoid pregnancy.Minocycline crosses the placenta and should be used with extreme caution in people who are pregnant. Do not take if pregnant, planning on getting pregnant, or breastfeeding. Minocycline can cause fetal harm and/or demise.Contraindicated in children under the age of 8. Minocycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Garrido‐Mesa N, Zarzuelo A, Gálvez J. Minocycline: far beyond an antibiotic. British journal of pharmacology. 2013;169(2), 337-352. doi:10.1111/bph.12139 MedlinePlus. Minocycline. Updated August 15, 2017. McEvoy T. Minocycline: Rheumatoid arthritis. Hosp Pharm. 2016;51(7):535-538. doi:10.1310/hpj5107-535 Dean OM, Data-Franco J, Giorlando F, Berk M. Minocycline: therapeutic potential in psychiatry. CNS Drugs. 2012 May 1;26(5):391-401. doi:10.2165/11632000-000000000-00000 Bortolasci CC, Marx W, Walker AJ, Hasebe K, Kavanagh BE, Morris MJ, Mohebbi M, Turner A, Gray L, Berk L, Walder K, Berk M, Dean OM. Minocycline for the treatment of mental health and neurological conditions: study protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2020 Mar 19;10(3):e035080. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035080 Food and Drug Administration. Minocin. Updated August 2010.