Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis What to Know About Minocin (Minocycline) Antibiotic With Anti-Inflammatory Properties By Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC LinkedIn Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC, is a nurse and health journalist, as well as an adjunct clinical faculty member at hospitals in the Philadelphia area. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 31, 2021 Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD LinkedIn Scott J. Zashin, MD, specializes in the treatment of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions using both traditional and alternative therapies. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents 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 infections Respiratory infections Severe acne Chlamydia Tick fever Plague Tularemia This antibiotic is considered a second line drug for those individuals with a penicillin allergy. For that reason it can be used to treat: Gonorrhea Syphilis Anthrax Food 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 : Stroke Multiple sclerosis Spinal-cord injury Parkinson’s disease Huntington’s disease Amyotrophic 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 healthcare provider and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.Discuss with your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications: anticoagulants, bromocriptine, cabergoline, dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, and penicillin.Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have ever had asthma, lupus, intracranial hypertension cerebri, kidney or liver disease.Discuss with your healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider 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 healthcare provider 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: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Itching of the rectum or vagina Changes in color of skin, scars, nails, teeth or gums. Changes in color of tears or urine Tinnitus (ringing in your ears) Hair loss Xerostomia (dry mouth) Sore or irritated throat Inflammation of the end of the penis Muscle pain Mood changes Numbness, 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: Headache Blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision Rash Urticaria (hives) Peeling or blistering skin Angioedema (swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes) Difficulty breathing or swallowing Shortness of breath Yellowing of the skin or eyes Dark-colored urine Light-colored bowel movements Extreme fatigue Confusion Bloody urine Joint pain, stiffness or swelling. Minocycline has been associated with a drug-induced lupus where patients may develop joint pain Swollen lymph nodes Unusual bleeding or bruising Decreased urination A return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection Watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment Seizures Chest 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.When taken in combination with Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine), a medication used to treat lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, patients may develop areas of increased skin pigmentation. 7 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. 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. Merola JM. UpToDate. Drug-induced lupus. By Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC Kathleen Gaines, MSN, RN, CBC, is a nurse and health journalist, as well as an adjunct clinical faculty member at hospitals in the Philadelphia area. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit