Minocycline medical uses:
Minocycline is a second-generation, long-acting tetracycline antibiotic. Minocycline hydrochloride is a semisynthetic derivative of tetracycline.
Minocycline is indicated in the treatment of the following infections:

Respiratory tract infections
Skin and skin structure infections
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever
Lymphogranuloma venereum
Psittacosis (Ornithosis)
Inclusion conjunctivitis
Urethritis
Chancroid
Brucellosis
Bartonellosis
Syphilis
Trachoma
Acne

Minocycline dosage:

Usual dosage range:
Children >8 years: Initial: 4 mg/kg, followed by 2 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours
Adults: Initial: 200 mg, followed by 100 mg every 12 hours (maximum: 400 mg/day)
Inflammatory acne:
Adults: 50 mg 1 to 3 times per day.
Meningococcal carrier state:
Adults: 100 mg every 12 hr for 5 days.
Mycobacterium marinum infections:
Adults 100 mg every 12 hr for 6 to 8 wk, although optimal doses have not been established.
Periodontitis:
Adults: Subgingival 1 mg microspheres are to be inserted by an oral health care professional.
Syphilis:
Adults: 200 mg initially then 100 mg every 12 hr for 10 to 15 days.

Minocycline side effects:

Cardiovascular:
CNS: convulsions; dizziness; hypoesthesia; paresthesia; sedation; vertigo; bulging fontanels in infants; benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) in adults; headache.
Dermatologic: alopecia; erythema nodosum; hyperpigmentation of nails; pruritus; toxic epidermal necrolysis; vasculitis; maculopapular and erythematous rashes; exfoliative dermatitis; fixed drug eruptions; balanitis due to lesions on the penis; erythema multiforme; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; photosensitivity.
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (EENT): rinnitus; decreased hearing.
Hepatic: Hyperbilirubinemia; hepatic cholestasis; increased liver enzymes, fatal hepatic failure; jaundice; hepatitis (including autoimmune hepatitis); liver failure.
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; dyspepsia; stomatitis; glossitis; dysphagia; enamel hypoplasia; enterocolitis; pseudomembranous colitis; pancreatitis; inflammatory lesions (with monilial overgrowth) in oral and anogenital regions; esophagitis; esophageal ulceration; tooth discoloration; oral cavity discoloration (including tongue, lips, and gums).
Genitourinary: vulvovaginitis.
Hematologic: agranulocytosis; hemolytic anemia; thrombocytopenia; leukopenia; neutropenia; pancytopenia; eosinophilia.
Hypersensitivity: urticaria; angioneurotic edema; polyarthralgia; anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction (including shock and death); anaphylactoid purpura; myocarditis; pericarditis; exacerbation of SLE; pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia; transient lupus-like syndrome; serum sickness-like reactions; hypersensitivity syndrome (including rash, exfoliative dermatitis, eosinophilia, fever, lymphadenopathy and one or more of the following hepatitis, pneumonitis, nephritis, myocarditis, pericarditis).
Musculoskeletal: arthralgia; arthritis; bone discoloration; myalgia; joint stiffness; joint swelling.
Renal: interstitial nephritis; elevations in BUN; reversible renal failure.
Respiratory: cough; dyspnea; bronchospasm; exacerbation of asthma; pneumonitis.

Minocycline precautions:

Children
Avoid in children younger than 8 yr of age unless other appropriate drugs are ineffective or contraindicated because abnormal bone formation and discoloration of teeth may occur.
Renal Function
May increase BUN, may lead to azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and acidosis.
Superinfection
Prolonged use may result in bacterial or fungal overgrowth.
Photosensitivity
May cause exaggerated sunburn reactions.
Hepatotoxicity
Has been reported. Use with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction and in conjunction with hepatotoxic drugs.
Parenteral therapy
Prolonged periods of parenteral use may result in thrombophlebitis.
Pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension)
Has been reported in adults. Usual manifestations are headache and blurred vision.
Tooth discoloration
May cause permanent discoloration of the teeth.

Minocycline drug interactions

Antacids (containing aluminum, calcium, magnesium, zinc), bismuth salts, divalent or trivalent cations: May decrease absorption of tetracyclines.
Anticoagulants: Increased anticoagulant activity.
Insulin Increases hypoglycemic potential.
Methoxyflurane: Increased potential for nephrotoxicity exists; do not coadminister.
Penicillins: Tetracyclines may reduce bactericidal efficacy of penicillins and cephalosporins.
Retinoic acid derivatives: May increase risk of pseudotumor cerebri.
Typhoid vaccine: Antibacterial agents may decrease the therapeutic efficacy of the live, attenuated typhoid (Ty21a strain) vaccine
Warfarin: Hypoprothrombinemic response may be increased with tetracyclines; monitor INR closely during initiation or discontinuation.

Test Interactions:

May cause interference with fluorescence test for urinary catecholamines (false elevations)

Pregnancy & Lactation:
Pregnancy Risk Factor: D
May cause permanent discoloration (brown-gray) of teeth. Animal studies indicate possible tumorigenicity, skeletal deformations, and impairment of male fertility. Congenital anomalies have been reported postmarketing. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Should be used in pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus.

Breast-Feeding:
Small amounts of minocycline are excreted in breast milk. Breast-feeding is not recommended by the manufacturer. Minocycline absorption is not affected by dairy products. This may lead to increased absorption from maternal milk when compared to other tetracyclines which are bound by the calcium in the maternal milk. Nondose-related effects could include modification of bowel flora. There have been case reports of black discoloration of breast milk in women taking minocycline.

Overdose:
Symptoms of overdose include diabetes insipidus, nausea, anorexia, dizziness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Treatment is symptom-directed and supportive. Not dialyzable (0% to 5%).

Ordering & Prices:
If you would like to buy Minocycline and have no prescription, choose the offer from the price table.

References:

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Minocycline (Minocin) U.S. Prescribing Information. Available at (PDF format): Prescribing Information