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Seysara

sarecycline
Used for Acne

Seysara (sarecycline) is a tetracycline antibiotic that treats moderate-to-severe non-nodular acne, such as whiteheads, blackheads, and papules. It can be prescribed for adults and children ages 9 years and older. Seysara (sarecycline) is a tablet that's taken by mouth once per day for up to 3 months. Most people don't experience side effects from Seysara (sarecycline), but a few have reported nausea.

Reviewed by:Last reviewed on April 18, 2024
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What is Seysara (sarecycline)?

What is Seysara (sarecycline) used for?

  • Moderate-to severe-non-nodular acne (whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts) in people ages 9 years and older

How Seysara (sarecycline) works

Seysara (sarecycline) is a tetracycline antibiotic. The exact way it works to treat acne isn't known. In general, tetracycline antibiotics work by stopping bacteria from making certain proteins inside their cells. As a result, the bacteria aren't able to grow and spread.

When does Seysara (sarecycline) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
Initial effect
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug facts

Common BrandsSeysara
Drug ClassTetracycline antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Seysara (sarecycline)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea (3%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Vaginal yeast infection

Seysara (sarecycline) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Infectious (C. difficile-related) diarrhea: foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, frequent bowel movements
  • High blood pressure in the brain: changes in vision, headache, nausea, vomiting

Source: DailyMed

The following Seysara (sarecycline) side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Nausea
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$1292.88(Save 79.75%)
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Pros and cons of Seysara (sarecycline)

Pros

  • Most people taking Seysara (sarecycline) had almost clear or clear skin after 3 months of treatment
  • Tends to have less side effects compared to other tetracycline antibiotics for acne
  • Taken by mouth once a day
  • Can be taken with or without food

Cons

  • Can make you more sensitive to the sun and cause more painful sunburns
  • Shouldn’t be used during pregnancy
  • Not recommended for children 8 years and younger because of risk of teeth discoloration and slow bone growth
  • Can cause fertility problems in males who are trying to have a child
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Pharmacist tips for Seysara (sarecycline)

pharmacist
  • Let your HCP know if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding before starting Seysara (sarecycline). This medication must be avoided because of the risk of harm to babies, such as growth problems and permanent tooth discoloration.
  • You can take Seysara (sarecycline) with or without food. If it's upsetting your stomach, try taking it with food to help.
  • Seysara (sarecycline) can cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or like the room is spinning. Avoid performing any activity that requires a lot of attention (such as driving) until you know how this medication affects you.
  • Seysara (sarecycline) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun to both natural and fake sunlight, which can lead to more serious and painful burns. If possible, try to avoid or limit the amount of time you’re in the sun. Also, try to avoid or limit your use of tanning beds or UVA/B treatment. Stop Seysara (sarecycline) and let your provider know right away if you do get sunburned.
  • It's important to protect your skin while you're taking Seysara (sarecycline). If you need to go outside, make sure to wear sunscreen, long-sleeve clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
  • Make sure to stay well-hydrated by drinking enough fluids while taking Seysara (sarecycline). Doing so helps prevent dehydration if you get diarrhea while taking Seysara (sarecycline).
  • If you start to have fever and watery or bloody diarrhea anytime during treatment or after stopping Seysara (sarecycline), get medical help right away. These might be signs of infectious diarrhea, which needs medical attention right away.
  • Make sure to tell your HCP and pharmacist about all the medications you're taking before and during treatment with Seysara (sarecycline). Especially let your prescriber know if you're taking blood thinners or digoxin (Lanoxin) because Seysara (sarecycline) can raise the risk of side effects from these medications.
  • Don’t take Seysara (sarecycline) at the same time as antacids, such as products with aluminum, calcium, magnesium, bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol), or iron. These medications can prevent your body from absorbing the full dose of Seysara (sarecycline).
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Risks and warnings for Seysara (sarecycline)

Seysara (sarecycline) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Not for use during pregnancy or nursing

  • Risk factors: Second and third trimester of pregnancy | Currently breastfeeding

Like all tetracycline antibiotics, Seysara (sarecycline) must be avoided during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Seysara (sarecycline) can cause poor bone growth and teeth discoloration in the developing baby if taken by mothers during pregnancy. Seysara (sarecycline) can also pass through breast milk and cause similar problems in a breastfed baby. Let your healthcare team know if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, so they can help you find a safer treatment.

Infectious diarrhea

Seysara (sarecycline) can raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause severe diarrhea. Like many other bacteria, C.diff naturally lives in your gut. These bacteria normally don’t cause any problems. But taking Seysara (sarecycline) or other antibiotics can cause certain bacteria to grow out of control. When C. diff grows out of control, it can cause fatal diarrhea due to dehydration and swelling of the colon. Your risk for CDAD is higher if you are over the age of 65 or have a weak immune system. Before starting Seysara (sarecycline), let your dermatologist know if you’ve taken any other antibiotics within the past 2 months. Stop Seysara (sarecycline) and contact your healthcare team right away if you experience fever, tiredness, or bloody or watery stool, as these might be a sign of CDAD.

Dizziness and light-headedness

Seysara (sarecycline) can make you feel dizzy, light-headed, or feel like the room is spinning. You should avoid activities that need more attention (such as driving) until you know how the medication will affect you. These symptoms can disappear during treatment or when you stop taking Seysara (sarecycline). Continue taking Seysara (sarecycline) as prescribed and let your healthcare team know if you experience dizziness, light-headedness, or head-spinning symptoms.

High blood pressure in the brain

  • Risk factors: Use of other medications that can raise pressure in the brain, such as isotretinoin | Females with larger body weight and of childbearing age

Though not common, Seysara (sarecycline) can raise blood pressure in the brain, also known as intracranial hypertension. High brain pressure is temporary, but it can lead to permanent vision changes. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can raise brain pressure, such as isotretinoin (Absorica). You should get your vision checked before starting Seysara (sarecycline). Let your healthcare team know if you experience unusual headaches and blurred vision while taking Seysara (sarecycline).

Sun and light sensitivity

Seysara (sarecycline) makes your skin more sensitive to the sun or ultraviolet (UV) light. This means you can get sunburns more easily than usual. This can happen even during the winter and on overcast days. To lower your risk, make sure to wear sunscreen when going outside and wear long-sleeved clothing to protect your skin. Also avoid being exposed to light or sun for a long time.

Drug-resistant infections

Seysara (sarecycline) can raise the risk of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, fungi, or yeast. This can lead to infections that are harder to treat in the future. Since Seysara (sarecycline) affects only some bacteria, it can also cause other bacteria, fungi, or yeast to grow out of control and cause infections. Contact your healthcare team if you experience symptoms of infection, such as fever and chills.

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Seysara (sarecycline) dosage

The average cost for 30 tablets of 100mg of Seysara (sarecycline) is $261.87 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 80.22% off the average retail price of $1,323.99.
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
60mg30 tablets$261.87$8.73
100mg30 tablets$261.87$8.73
150mg30 tablets$261.87$8.73

Typical dosage for Seysara (sarecycline)

Your dermatologist will determine your dose of Seysara (sarecycline) based on body weight.

  • People who weigh 33 to 54 kg (73 to 119 lbs): The typical dose is 60 mg by mouth once daily.
  • People who weigh 55 to 84 kg (121 to 185 lbs): The typical dose is 100 mg by mouth once daily.
  • People who weigh 85 to 136 kg (187 to 299 lbs): The typical dose is 150 mg by mouth once daily.
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How much does Seysara (sarecycline) cost?

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Seysara (sarecycline) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Seysara (sarecycline) will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Seysara (sarecycline)?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Seysara (sarecycline). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Seysara (sarecycline)
Used for:
  • Moderate-to severe-non-nodular acne (whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts) in people ages 9 years and older
$261.87Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:

Doxycycline hyclate is used to prevent malaria due to the parasite Plasmodium falciparum and to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. Some examples include:

  • Respiratory tract infections, including in the nose, throat, and lungs
  • Infections caused by ticks, mites, or fleas (Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus fever)
  • Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, gonorrhea, chancroid, and syphilis
  • Lyme disease
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Severe acne
  • Anthrax
  • Plague
  • Cholera
$10.44Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$18.80Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
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News about Seysara (sarecycline)

References

Best studies we found

Almirall, LLC. (2023). Seysara- sarecycline hydrochloride tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

Baldwin, H. (2020). Table 2. Common side effects of oral antibiotics. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About C. diff.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.