Minocycline 50mg

MinoTabs general information

What is MinoTabs used for?

MinoTabs 50 tablets are a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections in various parts of the body. MinoTabs 50 tablets are primarily used to treat severe acne, where bacterial infection has developed and has not cleared up using topical treatments (creams and ointments). MinoTabs 50 tablets are also used to treat other skin infections including, impetigo (a superficial skin infection common in young children); folliculitis (infection of the hair root); furunculosis, (boils); and infected wounds. Other conditions that MinoTabs 50 mg are used for include: respiratory infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia); genitourinary tract infections (like cystitis, prostatitis and gonococcal urethritis); ear, nose and throat infections (like otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis); eye infections; and to prevent the development of symptoms in meningitis carriers.

How does MinoTabs work?

MinoTabs 50 tablets contain minocycline a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline group of antibiotics, with antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including: gonococci, streptococci, staphylococci and meningococci. Minocycline in MinoTabs 50 tablets inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria by blocking the transcription stage, which is reading the protein message from the bacterial RNA. This action prevents the bacteria from producing essential proteins needed for growth, repair and replication; and prevents the spread of infection.

What does MinoTabs contain?

MinoTabs 50 tablets the active ingredient minocycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline group of antibiotics, used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections.

Treating infection with MinoTabs

MinoTabs 50 tablets contain minocycline a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections in various parts of the body. Conditions that MinoTabs 50 mg are used for include: skin infections like severe acne, where bacterial infection has developed; impetigo (a superficial skin infection common in young children); folliculitis (infection of the hair root); furunculosis, (boils); respiratory infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia); genitourinary tract infections (like cystitis, prostatitis and gonococcal urethritis); ear, nose and throat infections (like otitis media, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis); eye infections and infected wounds; also to prevent the development of symptoms in meningitis carriers. Minocycline in MinoTabs 50 tablets inhibits protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria, which prevents the bacteria from producing essential proteins needed for growth, repair and replication and prevents the spread of infection.

MinoTabs for Acne

MinoTabs 50 tablets contain minocycline a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat severe acne (including cystic and pustular types), where bacterial infection has developed and has not cleared up using topical treatments (creams and ointments). Acne is often associated with puberty which is when a surge of androgen hormones can over stimulate the sebaceous glands (oil producing glands in hair follicles). Skin cells that are shed from the lining of the hair follicle become trapped in sebum forming a plug below the surface of the skin, clogging the pores, which then attracts bacteria, so that the clogged pores become infected and inflamed, which is how the pimples, whiteheads and blackheads (comedones) of acne form, causing an acne outbreak. MinoTabs 50 inhibits protein synthesis in bacteria that grow in the acne lesions, which reduces the amount of bacterial growth that contributes to formation of acne skin lesions and prevents the spread of infection.

What are the side effects of MinoTabs?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking MinoTabs 50 tablets, include: dizziness; drowsiness, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach upset, vomiting, skin rash, sensitivity to light, fungal infections like thrush. More serious but rare side effects include hepatitis, acute liver failure and exacerbation of the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus.

When should MinoTabs not be used?

You should not use MinoTabs if you:

• are allergic to minocycline or other tetracycline antibiotics or any other ingredients in MinoTabs 50
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have liver or kidney disease; or systemic lupus erythematosus
• are under 12 years of age
• are taking other medication that interacts with MinoTabs 50, including: penicillin antibiotics, the anticoagulant warfarin
• are taking antacids or supplements that contain iron, calcium, magnesium, aluminium or zinc salts preparations, which may reduce the absorption of minocycline
• are taking oral contraceptive as there is incidence of breakthrough bleeding which may cause contraception failure

How should MinoTabs be taken?

You should take your MinoTabs 50 tablets twice daily with a glass of water, with or without food. The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor, which may be for a few days, weeks or months, depending on what you are being treated for. The treatment of acne should be continued for a minimum of 6 weeks and for up to 6 months. You should continue to take your tablets even if you feel better, until you have completed the prescribed course of treatment.

How long should you take MinoTabs?

You should continue to take your MinoTabs 50 tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor, which will depend on what you are being treated for. You should continue to take your tablets even if you feel better, until you have completed the prescribed course of treatment.

Missed dose of MinoTabs

If you miss a dose of MinoTabs 50 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should MinoTabs be stored?

You should store your MinoTabs 50 tablets at room temperature below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.