Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Minocycline

Posted on Fri, 29 Jul 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Hey dr,
I've been on a minocycline/retin a combo for about 3 months now and I was on doxycycline a month prior to that so it's been on this for about 4 months in total so far. My face is relatively clear i'd say about 70% and I am honestly happy where it is even having a few pimples on my face because it was a lot better than it was 4 months ago. Now I have been experiencing this side effect and I have really started to notice it more as of late but I seem to be waking up really late and having 10 hours sleep and still feeling really tired when I wake up and having this feeling of wanting to sleep even more. I am kind of getting sick of this since I never used to be like this before taking minocycline so I feel as if this may be a side effect? Now I spoke to my doctor and he said I could just stop taking the drug but i've read online that it's better to cut back your doses. So currently I am on 50mg twice a day so I could go cut down to 50mg once a day for a while and then 50mg every other day to minimize getting a bad breakout from coming offer the minocycline? Thanks for your help in advance.
Kind Regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes taper it to 50 mg once daily & then 50 mg every alternate day

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I am Dr Asmeet Kaur Sawhney, a dermatologist.
I have gone through your complaints and sleep disorders is usually not a side effect of minocycline.
Even if you want to stop using it taper it as 50 mg once daily and then to 50 mg every alternate day to avoid any aggravation of acne.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (3 hours later)

Thanks for the reply doctor can it be a possible side effect at all though this general feeling of tiredness? Will I notice a massive increase in pimples once I come off the medication and would it be ok or wise to continue the Retin-A as I am not getting much side effects from it? I feel that it is doing more than the minocycline is doing. I have only been on Retin-A for a total of 2 months out of the 4 months of taking minocycline/doxy.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Aggravation of acne unlikely on stopping minocycline, continue retin A cream

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

This general feeling of tiredness is also very rare with minocycline therapy.
Once you will taper off the minocycline gradually there is unlikely to be aggravation of acne and everything will be ok.
You should continue using Retin A cream as it will also take care of your acne problem.
You can continue this for a long time like 6-8 months if it is suiting your skin as it won't cause any systemic side effects.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (21 minutes later)

Sounds good I think that's what I will do that with the tapering off the minocycline though how slowly should I do it should I go down to tablet a day for a week or two before I start going to every other day?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Reduce the dose every 2 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Yes reduce the dose to minocycline 50 mg once daily for 2 weeks and then minocycline 50 mg alternate day for 2 weeks and then stop it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T