Minicycline
Minicycline (Minocycline 100 mg) — Shreya Life Sciences second-generation tetracycline for moderate-severe inflammatory acne, papulopustular rosacea, Lyme, and atypical pneumonia. Twice daily.
✓ Medically reviewed by Morgan Ellis — Pharmacy Researcher · 8 years experience · Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick Answer
Minicycline — minocycline 100 mg (Shreya Life Sciences). Second-generation tetracycline with strong tissue penetration — used for moderate-severe inflammatory acne, rosacea, Lyme disease, atypical pneumonia, and certain MRSA infections. Twice-daily oral dosing; distinct side-effect profile vs doxycycline.
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Tetracyclines deposit in developing teeth and bone. Contraindicated in pregnancy after 18 weeks and in children <8 years (permanent tooth discoloration). Avoid breastfeeding mothers when alternatives exist.
Minocycline (more than other tetracyclines) causes a blue-grey skin pigmentation in scars, oral mucosa, sclera, and shins after months-to-years of therapy. It can also trigger autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced lupus, and DRESS syndrome. Reassess every 3-6 months in chronic acne use; consider switching to doxycycline or oral isotretinoin if course exceeds 6 months.
Dosing
| Indication | Dose |
|---|---|
| Moderate-severe inflammatory acne | 100 mg once or twice daily × 12 weeks (reassess at 12 weeks) |
| Rosacea (papulopustular) | 50-100 mg once daily × 8-12 weeks |
| Lyme disease (early localised) | 100 mg twice daily × 14-21 days |
| Atypical pneumonia (Mycoplasma, Chlamydophila) | 100 mg twice daily × 7-14 days |
| Skin/soft-tissue MRSA (community-acquired, susceptible) | 100 mg twice daily × 5-10 days |
Take with a full glass of water and remain upright for 30 minutes after the dose to prevent oesophageal irritation. Can be taken with or without food (food slightly reduces absorption but improves tolerability).
Side effects
- Common: nausea, dizziness/vertigo (more than doxycycline — this is class-distinctive), photosensitivity (less than doxycycline), benign intracranial hypertension
- Long-term distinctive: blue-grey skin/oral pigmentation, drug-induced lupus, autoimmune hepatitis, DRESS
- GI: oesophagitis if not taken with adequate water; C. difficile colitis (rare)
- Vestibular: dizziness, vertigo, ataxia — more frequent in women, often dose-limiting; resolves on stopping
Frequently Asked Questions
Minocycline vs doxycycline for acne?
Both are effective. Doxycycline is generally preferred first-line because of its better safety profile (no pigmentation, less vestibular toxicity, no autoimmune hepatitis signal). Minocycline is reserved for failure of doxycycline or specific situations where its tissue penetration matters.
When will I see acne improvement?
Inflammatory lesions improve in 4-6 weeks; full effect at 12 weeks. If no improvement at 12 weeks, escalate (oral isotretinoin) rather than continue indefinitely.
Vestibular side effects?
Up to 10% of patients (more in women) experience dizziness or vertigo. Usually starts within days, often resolves on stopping. Try splitting the dose or switching to doxycycline.
Pigmentation — when does it appear?
Type-I pigmentation appears at acne scar sites within months. Type-II (shin/forearm) and Type-III (sun-exposed areas) appear after years of use. Usually slowly fades after stopping but may persist.
Drug-induced lupus?
Rare (1-3% in long-term use) but distinctive minocycline complication. Symptoms: arthralgia, fever, malar rash, positive ANA. Reversible on stopping. Reassess regularly in chronic use.
Photosensitivity vs doxycycline?
Minocycline causes less photosensitivity than doxycycline — sometimes a deciding factor in sunny climates. Still use sunscreen.
Drug interactions?
Like all tetracyclines: chelates with antacids/iron/zinc/calcium/dairy/sucralfate (separate by 2 hours before / 6 hours after). Reduces oral contraceptive efficacy modestly — use barrier contraception during course. Can potentiate warfarin.
Pregnancy?
Avoid in pregnancy beyond 18 weeks (fetal tooth/bone deposition). Avoid breastfeeding. If you become pregnant during a course, stop and discuss with your obstetrician.
What if a dose is missed?
Take it when you remember if close to the normal time; otherwise skip — do not double up. Missing occasional doses does not significantly affect efficacy.
Course length?
Acne courses should be 12-16 weeks maximum. Ongoing use past 6 months increases pigmentation, autoimmune, and resistance risks. If acne is not controlled, escalate to oral isotretinoin rather than continue tetracyclines indefinitely.
Other Acne & Dermatology Medications
- Minoz — minocycline alternative brand
- Involym — lymecycline — daily dose tetracycline alternative
- Acnedap — topical dapsone gel for inflammatory acne
- Acnetoin — azithromycin pulse for acne (3 days/week)
- Retino-AC Gel — tretinoin + clindamycin topical
More options in Acne Treatment
Ranked by recent MedsBase order volume — what other customers in this category are picking.
| Strength | 100 mg |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 30 Tablet/s, 60 Tablet/s, 90 Tablet/s |
| Pharma Form | Capsule/s |
| Manufacturer | Shreya Life Sciences |
| Treatment | Bacterial infections |
| Generic Brand | Minocycline |
Minicycline
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