Minomycin Tablets 50MG Pack Of 60

MINOMYCIN(R)

Minocycline
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about MINOMYCIN. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking MINOMYCIN against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine.

You may need to read it again.

What MINOMYCIN is used for

The name of your medicine is MINOMYCIN. It contains the active ingredient minocycline.

MINOMYCIN is used to treat acne, which is resistant to other antibiotics. It is also used to treat various other infections.

MINOMYCIN belongs to a group of antibiotics called tetracyclines. They work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Your doctor may have prescribed MINOMYCIN for another purpose.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why it has been prescribed for you.

Tetracyclines will not work against infections caused by viruses such as colds or flu.

This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.

MINOMYCIN is not addictive.

Before you take MINOMYCIN

When you must not take it

Do not take MINOMYCIN if:

  • 1.you have ever had an allergic reaction to:
  • minocycline, or any other tetracycline antibiotics
  • any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
  • Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction to a tetracycline may include rash, itching or hives on the skin; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing.

  • 2.you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • As with many medicines, tetracyclines may harm the developing or breastfeeding baby. This may include enamel loss and staining of the child`s teeth.

    High doses of tetracyclines may also cause liver problems in pregnant women.

  • If you are a woman of child bearing age, you should avoid becoming pregnant while taking MINOMYCIN.
  • Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using MINOMYCIN if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

  • 3.you have a disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus).
  • 4.you have severe kidney disease.
  • If you are not sure whether you should be taking MINOMYCIN, talk to your doctor.

  • 5.Do not give MINOMYCIN to children of eight years and under unless directed by the child`s doctor.
  • MINOMYCIN, like other tetracyclines, may cause enamel loss and permanent staining of teeth.

  • 6.the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack has passed.
  • It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect, if you take it after the expiry date.

  • 7.the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
  • If this is the case, take the tablets back to your pharmacist.
  • Before you start to take it

    You must tell your doctor if:

  • 1.you are allergic to any foods, dyes, preservatives or any other medicines
  • 2.you have any other health problems, including kidney disease
  • 3.you plan to become pregnant.
  • Taking other medicines

    Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines you buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

    There may be interference between MINOMYCIN and some other medicines, including:

  • preparations containing vitamin A and some medicines used for skin problems such as isotretinoin or etretinate
  • warfarin, a medicine used to stop blood clotting
  • antacids used for indigestion
  • preparations containing iron
  • another group of antibiotics called penicillins
  • the contraceptive pill (birth control pills). MINOMYCIN may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control pills. Your doctor may advise you to use an additional method of contraception.
  • Some tetracyclines may interact with a general anaesthetic called Penthrane. Tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking MINOMYCIN if you expect to have surgery or dental work with a general anaesthetic.
  • These medicines may be affected by MINOMYCIN or may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines.

    If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking MINOMYCIN.

    How to take MINOMYCIN

    Take MINOMYCIN exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

    Follow all directions given to you by your doctor.

    They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

    If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

    How much to take

    For treating infections, the usual dose of MINOMYCIN is: 200 mg to start with, followed by 100 mg every 12 hours.

    For controlling acne, the usual dose is: 100 mg daily, preferably in two separate doses of 50 mg each.

  • How to take it

    Swallow MINOMYCIN whole with a full glass of water or milk. This medicine may be taken with food.

    Do not take it immediately before lying down.

    When to take it

    Take your medicine at about the same time each day.

    Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.

  • How long to take it

    Your doctor may prescribe MINOMYCIN for long periods.

    Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it.

    For treating infections, MINOMYCIN must be taken for at least 48 hours after you feel well and the fever has gone.

    For controlling acne, MINOMYCIN is normally taken for a few months.

    Visit your doctor regularly. He/she may do blood tests to check your progress.

    Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop.

    If you forget to take it

    If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally.

    Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.

    If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

    If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

    If you take too much (overdose)

    Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much MINOMYCIN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.

    Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.

    If you take too much MINOMYCIN you may experience the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fall in blood pressure, tiredness.

    While you are taking MINOMYCIN

    Things you must do

    Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists you visit that you are taking MINOMYCIN.

    If you are about to start taking any new medicines, tell your doctor or pharmacist that you are taking MINOMYCIN.

    If you become pregnant while taking MINOMYCIN, tell your doctor immediately.

    If you are being treated for an infection, take the full course of tablets or capsules prescribed, even if you feel better after a few days.

    If you do not complete the full course, the bacteria may still be present and your infection may return.

  • Things you must not do

    Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.

    Do not use MINOMYCIN to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor says to.

    Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

  • Things to be careful of

    Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how MINOMYCIN affects you.

    MINOMYCIN may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people.

    Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

    If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.

    MINOMYCIN may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn.

    If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a SPF 15+ sunscreen.

    If your skin does appear to be burning, stop taking MINOMYCIN and tell your doctor.

    If you get thrush or any other infection while taking, or soon after stopping MINOMYCIN, tell your doctor.

    Overgrowth of certain organisms not sensitive to MINOMYCIN can sometimes occur.

    If you get severe diarrhoea, immediately contact your doctor. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after stopping MINOMYCIN.

    This may be a sign of a serious side effect that affects the bowel.

    Do not take any medicines to treat this diarrhoea unless directed by your doctor.

  • Side effects

    Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking MINOMYCIN.

    MINOMYCIN is effective against some infections and acne in most people, but may have unwanted side effects in some. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

    Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following immediately:

    The more common side effects are:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • dizziness, light-headedness, unsteadiness
  • loss of appetite
  • headaches
  • rash or hives
  • allergic reactions such as swelling of face or tongue
  • difficulty in swallowing
  • burning in the throat or food tube
  • Rare side effects include:

  • increased sensitivity to sunlight
  • infection by other bacteria or organisms resistant to MINOMYCIN (eg intestinal thrush)
  • staining of skin, mouth, teeth or nails
  • Very rarely:

  • painful joints
  • inflammation of the bowel
  • blurred vision
  • liver, kidney or blood disorders
  • severe allergic reactions
  • drug-induced hepatitis and acute liver failure
  • This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known.

    Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand anything in this list.

    Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects.

    You may not experience any of them.

    After using MINOMYCIN

    Storage

    Keep this medicine where young children cannot reach it.

    A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

    Keep MINOMYCIN in a cool, dry place where it stays below 25 degrees C. Do not store it, or any other medicine, in a bathroom or near a sink.

    Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.

    Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

    Keep your tablets or capsules in their container until it is time to take them.

    If you take the tablets or capsules out of their container they may not keep well.

  • Disposal

    If your doctor tells you to stop taking MINOMYCIN, or the tablets (or capsules) have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any left over.

    Product description

    What it looks like

    The 50 mg tablets are round orange film-coated marked “M50” on one side.

    The 100 mg capsules are orange and blue. They are marked “Lederle 100 mg”.

    Ingredients

    Each MINOMYCIN 50 mg tablet contains minocycline (as hydrochloride) as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients:

  • Lactose
  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Povidone
  • Sorbitol
  • Sodium starch glycollate
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Hypromellose
  • Titanium dioxide (171)
  • Sunset yellow FCF CI 15985 (110)
  • Quinoline yellow CI 47005 (104)
  • Light liquid paraffin
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Stearic Acid
  • Each MINOMYCIN 100 mg capsule contains minocycline (as hydrochloride) as the active ingredient and the following inactive ingredients:

  • Magnesium stearate
  • Maize starch (pregelatinised)
  • Gelatin
  • Sunset yellow FCF CI 15985 (110)
  • Titanium dioxide (171)
  • Erythrosine CI 45430 (127)
  • Brilliant blue FCF CI 42090 (133)
  • Shellac
  • Propylene glycol
  • Dimethicone 350
  • The number in brackets following the colouring agent is the Australian Food Standards Food Additive Code

  • How is MINOMYCIN supplied

    MINOMYCIN is supplied as either a 50 mg tablet or 100 mg capsule.

    The 50 mg tablets are in blister strips in packs of 60 tablets. The 100 mg capsules are in blister strips with 11 capsules in a pack.

  • Manufacturer

    MINOMYCIN is supplied by:

  • Sigma Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
  • (A.C.N. 004 118 594)
  • 1408 Centre Road
  • Clayton Victoria 3168
  • Australia
  • Phone: (03) 9839 2800
  • This leaflet was last revised 23 August 2000 and updated on 7th January 2003.
  • Australian Registration Numbers:
  • MINOMYCIN 50mg tablets:
  • AUST R 47054
  • MINOMYCIN 100mg capsules:
  • AUST R 48643
  • (R) Registered Trademark
  • ENQUIRE

    1800 200 736