Can Minocycline give you a rash?

[cheriemonty]

I have been using minocycline for about 2 1/2 months for my acne and now I have a rash on my back that I can't get rid of. Could this medication be the cause?

[Rhonda P, CEP]

Hello,

Your doctor has put you on MINOCYCLINE which is a TETRACYCLINE, an antibiotic. Don't stop taking it, keep up the prescription as recommended. This type of antibiotic comes in different delivery methods such as injection, pill and ointment forms. It is used to fight bacterial infections, acne, urinary tract infections, etc.

Antibiotics kill good bacteria as well as the bad, that’s why it isn’t a good idea for a person to “self medicate” with antibiotics, we don’t want to kill off the good bacteria needlessly. Doctors know how antibiotics work, keep in touch and follow their orders. Minocycline increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight causing it to burn very quickly in the sun, stinging or burning sensation on the skin, and secondary yeast infections on the skin.

You could have a yeast infection type skin rash, talk to your doctor because if this is what you have there is medication to correct the problem before it gets out of control. Keep the area clean and dry, try not to sweat, wear loose clothing and don’t scratch if possible.

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You should know, there is no reason to use any antabiotic for such long. Ii may cause syndrome of surplus reproduction of bacteries. Also you may simply have allergic reaction. Good luck! :wink:

[Rhonda P, CEP]

This is true for general antibiotics but antibiotic ointment creams may be prescribed over a long period of time. Always follow your doctor’s orders, don’t alter prescription recommendations and never stop medications without first talking to your doctor.

[cheriemonty]

it not a cream that i'm taking it's the pill.

[Rhonda P, CEP]

Here are some of the basics for Minocycline, it is a semisynthetic derivative of tetracyline antibiotic, it is a pill and you can take it for more than a few weeks BUT the use of any antibiotic may result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi. There are acne cream antibiotics on the market as well. Use all as directed by you physician.

Minocycline pills are antibiotics that have been in use since the 1970’s and are a great acne therapy. It kills the acne bacteria more effectively than many other acne pills and has a separate "anti-inflammatory" effect. This means it reduces the redness, swelling and tenderness or pimples whether it kills the acne bacteria or not.

Of all the antibiotic pills used for acne, Minocycline is one of the most effective, easiest to take and has the least side effects. Side effects do occur, but are usually minor. Minocycline rarely causes significant blood or internal problems. A topical acne cream is normally used along with these pills

Start off taking it only at bedtime for a few days until ones body gets "used to" this medication. During this time dizziness or headaches may occur. These last a few hours and are gone by the morning. After that, the medication can be taken any time and is easiest to remember at meals. One in a hundred people have an allergy to the drug which shows up as outbreaks of hives two or three weeks into the treatment, or feeling sick or unwell.

If acne does not improve after SEVERAL MONTHS of Minocycline, a dermatologist will change the acne medicine to a different one. If the acne improves, the dose needs to be lowered or Minocycline will build up in the body. As this accumulates, the medication turns dark purple in the body and might show up as a discoloration. This looks like bruises that don't go away, or dark pigment in acne scars. The pigmentation will clear up as long as it is recognized and the medication is stopped, but it may take a year or more. This is one of the reasons regular exams are needed for people on Minocycline. More difficult pigmentation problems occur if the maximum dose is taken for a few years. Recent research has show that the pigment problems may be avoided by taking Vitamin C 500mg twice daily.

Overall, Minocycline is safer than ibuprofen or penicillin. Minocycline has been a standard treatment for severe acne for over 20 years and has been proven safe and effective with proper usage.

I hope all goes well for you