Minocycline
Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic for acne, rosacea and bacterial infections, sold here as Minocin and Minomycin tablets in 50mg and 100mg strengths.
Acne, rosacea and wider infections
Most people meet minocycline through acne or rosacea, the flushing, redness and pimples that settle across the cheeks, nose and chin. In acne it kills bacteria multiplying inside blocked pores and lowers the oil they feed on. Beyond skin it treats bacterial infections more widely, including some carried by ticks, lice and mites, by stopping bacteria building the proteins they need to grow, so an infection fades over days rather than hours. Colds and flu are viral, and minocycline does nothing for them.
Choosing between Minocin and Minomycin
Both brands match on strength and form: Minocin and Minomycin both come as plain tablets in 50mg and 100mg, so only the brand on the pack differs. A 100mg tablet carries twice the medicine of a 50mg one. These are the ordinary tablets, usually taken twice a day about twelve hours apart, not the once-daily extended-release tablets and capsules that minocycline also comes in. Both are in antibiotics and skin care.
Dairy, iron and antacids around a dose
Breakfast suits the morning tablet if plain water on an empty stomach makes your throat or stomach sore. Take it whole with a full glass of water, and leave the milk, yoghurt and cheese for a couple of hours afterwards: dairy is calcium, and calcium binds minocycline in the gut so less gets through. Antacids, calcium supplements and magnesium laxatives do the same and want an hour or two between them and a dose. Iron tablets and iron-containing vitamins need three hours before or two hours after. Finish the pack even once the skin or infection has cleared.
Side effects, from common to rare
Nausea, loose stools and a light-headed spell soon after a dose are the usual complaints. Skin burns more easily in sun for the whole course, so cover up, use sunscreen and skip sunbeds. After a long course a grey-blue tint can show in the skin, nails or gums. Severe headaches with blurred or double vision, a sign of pressure building inside the skull, and swelling of the face or throat after a dose both need urgent treatment. In pregnancy, or in a child under eight, minocycline can permanently stain teeth and affect bone growth. Keep the tablets in their pack, away from warm, damp places.
Sources
- Minocycline: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- About Sepsis - CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Where can I buy Minocycline in Hong Kong?
What is the price of Minocycline?
Each of the two minocycline products has its own price per pack, shown on its page in HKD or your selected currency; larger packs usually cost less per unit.
Do I need a prescription to order Minocycline?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order minocycline. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for minocycline?
Minocin and Minomycin are brand names of minocycline, which is also sold as Amzeeq. Here, minocycline can be bought online as generic Minocin and generic Minomycin. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Minocin the same medicine as Minomycin?
Yes. Both tablets contain minocycline, and both come in 50mg and 100mg strengths, so they are taken in the same way and at the same dose. The difference is the brand name on the pack, not the ingredient.
How long does minocycline take to work for acne?
Expect weeks, not days. A first change often shows after a few weeks of steady tablets, and the skin carries on improving over the following months. Spots that appear early in a course are normal and do not mean the antibiotic has stopped working.
Can I take minocycline with milk?
Better not. Milk, yoghurt and cheese bind minocycline in the gut and lower how much reaches the blood, so take the tablet with water and let a couple of hours pass either side.