Mestacine (other name Minomycin)

Product Description

Common use
Minomycin is used to treat acne, which is resistant to other antibiotics. It is also used to treat various other infections.
Minomycin belongs to a group of antibiotics called tetracyclines. They work by stopping the growth of bacteria.

Dosage and direction

Take Minomycin exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
For treating infections, the usual dose of Minomycin is: 200 mg to start with, followed by 100 mg every 12 hours.
For controlling acne, the usual dose is: 100 mg daily, preferably in two separate doses of 50 mg each.
Swallow Minomycin whole with a full glass of water or milk. This medicine may be taken with food.
Do not take it immediately before lying down.
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
Your doctor may prescribe Minomycin for long periods.
Check with your doctor if you are not sure how long you should be taking it.
For treating infections, Minomycin must be taken for at least 48 hours after you feel well and the fever has gone.
For controlling acne, Minomycin is normally taken for a few months.
Visit your doctor regularly. He/she may do blood tests to check your progress.
Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you forget to take it
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking it as you would normally.
Do not try to make up for missed doses by taking more than one dose at a time.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency (Casualty) at your nearest hospital if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much MINOMYCIN. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Follow your doctor's prescripion.

Storage

Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light.

Safety information

Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Do not use Minomycin to treat any other medical complaints unless your doctor says to.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.

Important safety information:
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Minomycin affects you.
Minomycin may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
Minomycin may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn.
If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use a SPF 15+ sunscreen.
If your skin does appear to be burning, stop taking Minomycin and tell your doctor.
If you get thrush or any other infection while taking, or soon after stopping Minomycin, tell your doctor.
Overgrowth of certain organisms not sensitive to Minomycin can sometimes occur.
If you get severe diarrhoea, immediately contact your doctor. Do this even if it occurs several weeks after stopping MINOMYCIN.
This may be a sign of a serious side effect that affects the bowel.
Do not take any medicines to treat this diarrhoea unless directed by your doctor.

Possible side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Minomycin.
Minomycin is effective against some infections and acne in most people, but may have unwanted side effects in some. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following immediately:

The more common side effects are:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea
dizziness, light-headedness, unsteadiness
loss of appetite
headaches
rash or hives
allergic reactions such as swelling of face or tongue
difficulty in swallowing
burning in the throat or food tube

Rare side effects include:
increased sensitivity to sunlight
infection by other bacteria or organisms resistant to Minomycin (eg intestinal thrush)
staining of skin, mouth, teeth or nails

Very rarely:
painful joints
inflammation of the bowel
blurred vision
liver, kidney or blood disorders
severe allergic reactions
drug-induced hepatitis and acute liver failure

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Others may occur in some people and there may be some side effects not yet known. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if it is not on this list. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand anything in this list. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.