Minocin (minocycline) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with a wide variety of uses, effective at treating bacterial infections ranging from acne to bubonic plague. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in some inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The active ingredient in Minocin, minocycline, is sold under a number of other brand names, including Minostad, Solodyn, Minox, Divaine, Minopen, and many others.

The Many Uses of Minocin

Minocin is a tetracycline antibiotic and also a bacteriostatic agent. Tetracycline antibiotics are among the antibiotics rendered less useful by antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. Despite this it is still the preferred treatment in many infections; in other cases it may be given when the preferred medication is unavailable or unsuitable, such as if a patient is allergic to penicillin. Bacteriostatic antibiotics work by inhibiting bacterial reproduction rather focusing on killing existing bacteria; in simple terms, the medication suppresses growth and spread of the bacteria so the immune system isn't overwhelmed and can fight off the infection naturally.

Minocin is effective in:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Typhus fever
• Amoebic dysentery
• Cholera
• Acne vulgaris
• Rosacea
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Lyme disease
• Anthrax
• Bubonic plague
• Periodontal disease
• Various respiratory infections
• Various MRSA infections
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment with Minocin will vary depending on a number of variables; dosage will need to be adjusted for patients who are young, elderly, or who have other major medical conditions, and duration of treatment will depend on the condition being treated. In otherwise healthy adults, a rough generalization of treatment is as follows:

• Start with a single 200 mg dose.
• After the initial 200 mg dose, take 100 mg every 12 hours.
• Alternatively, 50 mg doses may be taken every 6 hours instead of 100 mg every 12 hours.
• Depending on the condition treatment may continue for a few days up to several months. If treating an infection, a general rule with antibiotics is to continue treatment for at least 2 days after symptoms have subsided.
• Do not exceed 200 mg in a 24-hour period after the first day of treatment.

Children are usually given 2 mg per kg of weight, taken every 12 hours, up to 200 mg per day.

Tips & Precautions

Some things to keep in mind to ensure treatment goes smoothly:

• Do not split, crush, dissolve, or otherwise damage tablets. They should be swallowed whole.
• Tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Milk or juice will inhibit absorption to some extent, though not as much as food will.
• Tablets should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Tablets should be taken 2 or 3 hours before or after taking other medications unless instructed otherwise by a doctor. Minocin can interact with a number of other drugs if taken too close together, including over-the-counter medications and supplements, such as antacids.
• Do not lay down for at least 10 minutes after taking a dose.

Use of Minocin should be avoided if pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be administered to patients under 9 years of age.

Note that Minocin, and many other tetracycline antibiotics, should not be used past its expiration date. While most medications simply lose potency past expiration, tetracyclines become increasingly toxic and can cause serious kidney damage.

Treatment with this or any other antibacterial, antiviral, or antifungal medication should be completed as directed even if symptoms disappear. Failure to fully complete treatment contributes to resistant organisms.