Minocycline and other oral acne medication
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What is minocycline?
This is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of conditions, such as urinary system infections and pneumonia. Minocycline can also deal with acne. Minocycline is part of the tetracyclines family; these are antibiotics which prevent bacteria from making the proteins they require to grow. Your physician might recommend minocycline if you have irritated acne that hasn’t reacted to other antibiotics, such as doxycycline. Like minocycline, doxycycline comes from the tetracycline group; however, it tends to be milder and trigger fewer side effects.
Benefits of minocycline for acne
Minocycline deals with acne by both killing germs and lowering inflammation. Minocycline only deals with active acne, not acne scars. Propionibacterium acnes (P.acnes) is germs found on most people’s skin. Sometimes it builds up in your pores, triggering acne. Minocycline can kill the P.acnes. Minocycline also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can assist to lower soreness and swelling triggered by irritated acne. Your doctor may likewise prescribe an extra treatment, such as a topical acne cream, to be used with the minocycline.
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Minocycline dosage
How much minocycline should I take?
For acne, doctors usually prescribe Solodyn, a form of minocycline which is in a slow-release capsule. Minocycline can be taken at any time of day, before or after meals. However, it’s best to drink a full glass of water with each dosage to decrease irritation in your esophagus or stomach. Do not overdose, stick to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. This will reduce the risk of having side effects.
How long does it take for minocycline to work?
Oral antibiotics can take about 6 to 8 weeks to start working, so you won’t see results right away. Even without visible improvements, it is essential to keep taking minocycline as directed by your doctor. In some cases, bacteria end up being resistant to antibiotics with time. This typically happens when you do not take antibiotics enough time for them to kill off all the bacteria. The germs cope with the antibiotic treatment, making them especially tough to kill. Doctors tend to prescribe the minocycline for at least three months so that the bacteria does not get a chance to learn to endure the medication. If your acne improves before then, they might decrease your dosage or switch you over to a topical antibiotic.
Can anyone take minocycline?
Minocycline doesn’t work for everybody. If you are on other medications, they can reduce the effectiveness of minocycline or increase your danger of major side effects.
People under some medications should not take minocycline
Before using minocycline, inform your doctor if you are on the following medications:
- penicillin
- contraceptive pill
- ergot medications for migraines
- retinoids, such as isotretinoin
- antacids including iron, magnesium, aluminum, or calcium
Other people who should not take minocycline
- Avoid minocycline if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Kids under the age of 8 shouldn’t take minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics.
Tips for using minocycline
- It is best if you always take the medication around the same time every day. It’s most effective when there is a constant quantity in your bloodstream.
- Finish the dosage, even if your skin is looking much better.
- Do not lie down right after taking minocycline. Otherwise, it can aggravate the esophagus, which is actually agonizing.
- Be patient. The changes won’t happen immediately, however gradually you’ll see less soreness and fewer breakouts.
What are the side effects of minocycline?
Minocycline may cause a number of mild to serious side effects. Some of the side effects include:
- diarrhea
- nausea and throwing up
- ringing in the ears
- change in the color of your teeth, gums, nails, and skin
- change in urine color
- dry mouth
- tongue swelling
- loss of hair
- throat irritation
- genital or rectal swelling and itching
- feeling numb or tingling of your skin
In time, minocycline can build up in your body, causing areas that look like dark bruises. While this staining generally goes away, it can take numerous years.
Major side effects of minocycline
In uncommon cases, minocycline triggers more major symptoms. Stop taking minocycline and seek emergency treatment whenever you experience the following symptoms:
- rash
- hives
- facial swelling
- fuzzy vision
- serious headache
- severe nausea and vomiting
- seizures
- joint pain
- increased bleeding or bruising
- bloody or watery diarrhea
- yellow-tinted skin or eyes accompanied by dark urine
- chest discomfort
- problem breathing or swallowing
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Other oral antibiotics for acne
Why are oral antibiotics good for acne?
Oral antibiotics come in handy in two methods when it comes to dealing with acne.
Oral antibiotics kill bacteria
They kill bacteria deep in the follicles. These bacteria are the ones that cause acne.
Oral antibiotics decrease inflammation
This is one of the things antibiotics do best. The acne inflammation we encounter– red, raised pimples that hurt to the touch– is irritating enough, but there’s often, even more, going on deep in the skin. Skin doctors will generally recommend doxycycline or minocycline, both just as proficient at reducing inflammation as they are at eliminating that sniffle.
Why would I be prescribed an antibiotic to fight acne?
Antibiotics are recommended as a second defense when creams don’t work, or if the acne is widespread which can make it hard for the cream. They’re also only used for the irritating red pimples. They sadly do not do much damage to blackheads. The dosage depends on how bad your acne is, but it’s typically going to be around 100-200 mg a day.
How do I take oral antibiotics?
Doxycycline:
Doxycycline works best when you take it on an empty stomach, but it also has a tendency to make you want to puke. Try your best to take it on an empty stomach and soldier. If you cannot handle the urge to throw up, then take it after a meal. Whatever you do, do not take doxycycline with calcium or antacids. Both will bind to it and shoot directly through your body without getting used! If you decide to take it after a meal, then it must be low in dairy products. Milk in coffee, tea, or moderately in cereal is fine. Do not take doxycycline before bed. The pill can upset your throat and cause heartburn or perhaps an ulcer. Take it at least 30 minutes before a nap of sleep and follow it up with a big glass of water.
Minocycline:
No rules. Simply take it.
How soon will the antibiotics work?
While antibiotics might have wiped out your strep or ear infection in a week, for acne, they take a bit longer. Expect to see results in 3-4 weeks, but know that you’ll have to be on them for a few months to get the full result.
Common side effects of antibiotics
As pointed out previously, Doxycycline can make you feel queasy, particularly if you take it first thing in the early morning. If your dose is high (200mg a day), it can increase your sensitivity to sunlight, so make certain to properly use the sunscreen before stepping out.Minocycline won’t increase the sensitivity to sunlight and is less likely to trigger indigestion, but when it does, it’s frequently intensified by a headache and dizziness. If this takes place, try taking it with food later in the day. People with weak stomachs should stay away for the generic versions as they are more likely to cause it. While not exceptionally likely, Minocycline allergic reactions are a lot more likely than for Doxycycline, and if you discover any irritation or hives, stop the drug and consult your skin doctor. Minocycline can also, in rare cases, triggers dark spots on the lower legs or bottom of acne scars on your face. It’s worth noting that this typically happens late in the treatment.
Antibiotic resistance
Whenever an antibiotic is taken, the bacteria it targets start to establish resistance to the antibiotic by evolving to prevent being killed. The speed and strength with which the bug mutates depend upon the antibiotic used and the hardiness of the bug.Minocycline, and to a lesser degree doxycycline are less likely than the majority of antibiotics to trigger this issue, however, can happen. In both these cases, the weaker bugs are killed off quickly leaving the stronger ones behind. This can eventually trigger the production of superbugs that are very difficult to kill.
Tips on oral antibiotics
Take your antibiotics regularly. The best way to cause the formation of resistant bugs is to skip dosages or to keep going on and off. Consistency is important even when it comes to the topical medications prescribed along with your oral antibiotics. If they appear not as effective just continue using them. They can help when the antibiotics are stopped.
The conclusion on using minocycline for acne
Minocycline is an antibiotic that can help to deal with inflammatory acne in grownups. In addition to eliminating acne-causing bacteria, it minimizes soreness and swelling. If your inflammatory acne is nonresponsive to other treatments, talk with your skin doctor about whether minocycline might be a choice for you.
