Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic that is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, severe acne, gonorrhea, tick fever, chlamydia, and others.

Minocycline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to minocycline or to similar antibiotics such as demeclocycline, doxycycline, or tetracycline.

If you are using minocycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• asthma or sulfite allergy.

You should not use minocycline if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in life. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using this medicine, whether you are a man or a woman.

Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while either the mother or the father is taking minocycline. The use of this medicine by either parent may cause tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.

Minocycline can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Minocycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking minocycline.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Minocycline can cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth in children younger than 8 years old.

Use Vectrin (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, fever, swollen glands, joint pain, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);
• a seizure;
• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• hair loss;
• discoloration of you skin or nails.
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• muscle or joint pain;
• nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite;
• swollen tongue, cough, trouble swallowing;
• rash, itching; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For 2 hours before or after you take minocycline: Avoid taking antacids, laxatives, multivitamins, or supplements that contain calcium, magnesium, or iron. These other medicines can make it harder for your body to absorb minocycline.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Minocycline could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.