minocycline ER

Minocycline ER can harm an unborn baby, including causing problems with bone growth and permanent tooth discoloration. You shouldn't take this medication if you're pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Minocycline ER can also make some birth control pills work less well. Use a backup birth control method while taking this medication. If you become pregnant during treatment, stop taking it and contact your prescriber right away.

• Risk factors: Children 8 years and younger | Pregnancy | Long-term use or repeated use of minocycline ER

Tetracycline antibiotics like minocycline ER can affect teeth while they are still developing in young children. The teeth can turn a permanent yellow, gray, or brown color. In rare cases, the enamel might not form correctly, which can make the teeth weaker.

These tooth changes can also happen to an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy, especially in the second half. Tooth side effects are more common with long-term use, but they can also happen after several short courses.

• Risk factors: Children 8 years and younger | Pregnancy

Tetracycline antibiotics like minocycline ER can slow bone growth when used during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy or in children younger than 8 years old. This happens because the medication binds to calcium in growing bones.

• Risk factors: Use of multiple antibiotics | Long-term use of antibiotics | Older age | Recent hospital stay | People with weakened immune systems | Previous infection from or known exposure to C. diff

Antibiotics, including minocycline ER, can cause a serious infection called Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). This happens when antibiotics change the normal bacteria in your gut, allowing harmful C. diff bacteria to grow too much. Call your care team right away if you have watery diarrhea, fever, stomach pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. Tell your prescriber if you develop diarrhea during treatment or even up to 2 months after stopping the antibiotic.

In rare cases, minocycline ER can cause serious and life-threatening allergic and skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptom (DRESS). Stop taking it and get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, facial swelling, fever, rash, peeling skin, or swollen lymph nodes.

• Risk factors: History of kidney or liver problems

In rare cases, minocycline ER can harm your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney problems. It can also cause liver damage, which can lead to liver failure. Contact your prescriber right away if you notice dark urine, changes in how much you urinate, stomach pain, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Minocycline ER can cause you to feel lightheaded, dizzy, or like the room is spinning (vertigo). If this happens, don't drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you. These symptoms might improve while you're taking it and usually go away after you stop the medication.

• Risk factors: Women of childbearing age who are overweight | History of high pressure in the brain | Also taking isotretinoin

Tetracycline antibiotics, including minocycline ER, have been linked to a rare condition called intracranial hypertension. This is when pressure builds up around your brain. Symptoms can include headache, blurry vision, double vision, or vision loss. Women of childbearing age who are overweight or who have had this condition before have a higher risk. Taking isotretinoin with minocycline can raise this risk and should be avoided.

This condition usually improves after stopping the medication, but permanent vision loss is possible. Tell your prescriber right away if you notice vision changes. You might need an eye exam, and your care team will monitor you for several weeks after stopping the medication.

• Risk factors: Taking minocycline ER long-term

Taking tetracycline antibiotics like minocycline ER might be linked to rare autoimmune problems, especially with long-term use. Symptoms can include fever, rash, joint pain, and feeling very tired. If you notice these symptoms after taking the medication for a while, stop it and check in with your prescriber.

Some people taking minocycline ER can become sensitive to the sun. This means your skin may burn more easily in the sun and you might get a stronger sunburn than usual. To protect yourself, limit direct sunlight, avoid tanning beds, wear protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat, and use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher when outdoors.

Minocycline ER can cause your skin and nails to become darker. This can happen even if you haven't been taking it for very long. It can also affect other areas, such as your eyes, inside your mouth, or even some internal organs.

These color changes are usually not harmful. But if you notice them, contact your prescriber to make sure they aren't a sign of another condition.

• Risk factors: Taking minocycline ER long-term

Taking minocycline ER for a long time can sometimes lead to a new infection caused by bacteria or fungi that this medication can't treat. Don't take minocycline ER longer than your prescriber recommends. Tell your prescriber if you notice signs of a new infection or if your original symptoms don't improve.