Antibiotic can clear up blemishes, inflammation
Minocyclineis a medication used to treat inflammatoryacne.
The medication is typically prescribed to people aged 12 years and older who have moderate to severe acne.
Minocycline is part of agroup of antibioticscalled tetracyclines.Doxycyclineandtetracycline, two other acne treatments, also belong to this group.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
It’s also used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections, and somesexually transmitted infections(STIs).
This article discusses minocycline for acne, including dosages, side effects, and how quickly it works.
Minocycline for acne is almost always prescribed along with atopical acne medication.
The combination usually leads to better results than just using minocycline.
Minocycline also does not help with acne scarring.
Other Oral Antibiotics for Acne
Minocycline isn’t the only oral antibiotic used to treat acne.
You’ll slowly stop taking (taper off) minocycline treatment once your acne is under control.
At this point, acne can often be kept in check by using topical treatments alone.
Sometimes, oral antibiotics have to be taken long-term to keep acne from returning.
Solodyn is a once-per-day treatment.
How Quickly Does Minocycline Work?
It can take six to eight weeks for minocycline to work for acne.
A bluish discoloration of the teeth is uncommon but possible and might be permanent.
They might be able to adjust your dose or recommend a different treatment.
Drug-Induced Lupus
Its not common but taking minocycline long-term can causedrug-induced lupus.
It is very rare and usually goes away within weeks after stopping treatment.
Who Should Not Take Minocycline?
Minocycline should not be used if youre pregnant or breastfeeding.
Children under the age of eight should use minocycline because of the risk of permanent tooth discoloration.
Some experts recommend waiting until after age 10 or even age 12 to start minocycline.
Drug Interactions
Minocycline can interact with several medications.
However, do not stop the medication without talking to a provider first.
Summary
Minocycline is used to treat acne.
You will usually take it along with another kind of acne treatment.
It wont help with milder forms of acne, though.
Like most medications, there are side effects and risks of minocycline and some people cannot take it.
Talk to your provider about whether minocycline is an acne treatment option that you could try.
Minocycline is associated with a loss of appetite.That can actually cause weight loss.
Animal studies suggest it may help people treated for other conditions to control their weight.
Prescribers' Digital Reference.Minocycline Hydrochloride.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Minocycline.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: DailyMed.Label: Minocycline hydrochloride tablet, extended release.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, MedlinePlus.Minocycline.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Drug-induced lupus erythematosus.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Full prescribing information: Solodyn (minocycline HCI) Extended Release Tablets for oral use.
2013 May;169(2):337-52. doi:10.1111/bph.12139
