Minocycline Ruined My Life – Who Should Not Take this Medicine?

Life can change in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, it’s a seemingly unintentional choice that leads to unforeseen struggles and heartache. In my case, that choice was taking Minocycline, an antibiotic with the promise of eradicating stubborn acne. But it ended up ruining my life.

Because of my bad acne, I was introduced to medications. I was initially pleased with the medication. While using it, I experienced no unpleasant side effects. However, after a few weeks, I began to realise just how terrible this superb treatment had actually been. 

I wish to describe how Minocycline negatively affected my health, my sense of well-being, and my life in general in my tale. I wish to make people aware of the potential hazards associated with this medicine. And ultimately provide support to those who experience similar challenges. Join me on this journey of introspection.

What Is Minocycline?

The tetracycline class of antibiotics includes Minocycline. It cures urinary tract infections, numerous sexually transmitted illnesses, and bacterial infections of the skin, soft tissues, and respiratory system.

How Does Minocycline Work?

By preventing bacterial growth and spread, minocycline functions. It accomplishes this by inhibiting bacteria’s ability to manufacture necessary proteins. For their development and reproduction, proteins are crucial. The germs cannot grow when the medication interferes. According to NIH, Minocycline affects the central nervous system. Also affects the skin. It happens because it is more lipophilic than tetracyclines like doxycycline.

In general, Minocycline has anti inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects due to its antibacterial activities. Thus, it manages rheumatoid arthritis and acne. Additionally, it helps with neurological conditions like ALS and multiple sclerosis. However, it is off label when used for other purposes rather than antibiotics. 

Minocycline Dosage

I can provide a basic table with typical doses of Minocycline for common problems. However, it’s crucial to understand that dosages vary significantly. So, never follow the table without the concern of a specialist. Here’s an essential reference table:

Minocycline withdrawal symptoms 

Minocycline withdrawal symptoms may include:

Diarrhea: Minocycline makes people dizzy. It may occasionally be very severe. Two months or longer after stopping the medication, it happens.

Central nervous system induced side effects: The central nervous system induced side effects of Minocycline. You may face problems like headaches, pseudotumor cerebri, ataxia, and vestibular dysfunction.

Lupus-like syndrome: Some patients who take minocycline develop a lupus like condition. Antinuclear antibodies, myalgia or malaise, and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate are the three main causes of arthritis.

Minocycline Side Effects 

Side effects of Minocycline sometimes lead to serious problems. Everyone should be aware of these. However, the below effects are also considered as the Minocycline long-term side effects. Let’s investigate the harmful consequences of minocycline now:

• As a result, it induces nauseousness, vomiting, and diarrhoea. When the drug is taken on an empty stomach, these unfavourable side effects manifest.
• Sunlight makes your skin more vulnerable. This causes skin rashes, irritation, redness, or severe sunburn even after a brief duration of contact to the sun.

• In children especially, the med discolors the teeth. It delays the development of bones, too. 

• The medicine has a greater effect on the central nervous system than other tetracyclines. It causes dizziness, or hearing changes.
• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and Minocycline are linked to increasing pressure.

Can Minocycline Cause Permanent Damage?

Minocycline is generally considered safe when used as specialist recommendations. However, in rare cases, it is responsible for permanent damage. Some of these rare side effects include:

Pseudotumor Cerebri

This condition increases pressure inside the skull and leads to severe headaches and vision problems. If not properly treated, it causes permanent vision damage.

Source: openpr.com

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Minocycline is connected to autoimmune hepatitis, which is a serious liver condition.

Skin and Pigment Change

Taking Minocycline for years sometimes leads to skin and pigment changes. It causes bluish black discoloration of the skin and gums. These changes are permanent in some cases.

Source: aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Drug-Induced Lupus

Although rare, Minocycline is connected to drug-induced lupus. It’s a condition that causes joint pain and other systemic symptoms.

How Minocycline Ruined My Life?

Minocycline is another name of disaster to me. Last year, my skin specialist prescribed me to use this for my acne problem. According to her recommendations, I started taking it two times a day. And instantly, I saw the differences. 

My skin became more precise and smoother. Two months of taking the med gave me positive results, undoubtedly. But right after two months, I went to the doctor. She suggested minimizing the doses as it might affect my body due to long-term side effects. So, according to her suggestions, I started taking it one time a day. Within two weeks, I noticed the acne started to come back. I got tense. But as my specialist told me to quit taking it, so did I. In doing so, I had to go through a terrible condition as the acne came out with the worst condition. 

The condition was worse than it was ever before. I tried every possible way to get rid of it. But the acne became too stubborn to get away. I got bullied even by my closest one. My horrible face people’s comments on my face all made me mad. Still, I am suffering, and I become hopeless that I can never ever get over it. 

Long story short, it is suitable for the short term. In the long term, it can be worse. 

Source: image.app

What Minocycline Do to Others: Real Users Experience 

Still, at some points, I thought that it was my fault that caused severe acne. Maybe I was doing something wrong unawarely. However, I became sure about learning some authentic customer reviews of the medication. Now, I am going to share all these with you.

Dealing with Mental traumas 

An 18 year old girl shares her pathetic experience regarding medicine. She said, “Comparing the effects of Minocycline for acne before and after, I had got clear skin. But I was suffering with my mental health as well. First, I thought I had mental issues due to my exam and other pressure at that time. But I also thought that I was kinda a strong girl. I’ve never before reacted to anything in my life so excessively. After I saw a psychiatrist, he advised me to stop taking the medication because it starts to have side effects after a certain amount of time.

Surprisingly, I stopped taking it and noticed that I had become normal mentally as before. Thank god he told me to do so. Otherwise, my suffering might continue, and I never ever could find that the depression was for the medications I was on. 

Source: mtatcw.com

Feeling nauseous, having a headache 

Another man, Stephen, reports that he started taking this less than a week ago, but he quit taking it because of the side effects. He added that it helped his acne, but the side effects don’t make it worth it. He constantly felt nauseous, had headaches, felt feverish, and was extremely exhausted.

Source: economictimes.com

Minocycline with gastrointestinal Issues

John Hopper shared his experience, saying he took Solodyn for three years. Though he had been on Accutane the previous year, it cleared up his skin well. But taking that, he started to get blemishes again. The Solodyn worked well. He was happy with the results. Then, after about a year of being on it, he started to have very bad stomach issues. Over time, they worsened. But he could not figure out what was wrong. Then, the dermatologist told me to take off the solodyn to see if it was responsible. He added, “My stomach isn’t 100% better still. But I can already tell the difference in my health. I feel much better now quitting this.”

Source: glutathionereporter.com

The comeback of acne at its worst

Natalia shares that “the med works instantly. But the side effects are not worth it. It ruins my gut and skin bacteria. This means after you stop taking it all, the acne causing bacteria return even stronger. Surprisingly, the good bacteria also get wiped while on this medication. She added, “I wish I never took Minocycline as it made my skin even worse once I stopped taking it.”

Drug-induced lupus

Rogerio, a 22-year-old girl, suffers a lot with her tiredness. She shares, “At the beginning of taking the medicine, I was happy that my acne was gone instantly. After three months I started to feel extremely tired. I was suffering badly with my never-ending sleepiness. I went to the doctor multiple times. Tested thousands of times. But all the test reports came out good. Doctors found no issues. 

She added, “I’m pretty sure it was DRUG INDUCED LUPUS. I’m pretty sure it was the Minocycline that was responsible for all these. The present condition is that if I take the drug now, I feel dizzy and sick almost instantly. So, I decided not to take the med anymore. 

Who Should Not Take Minocycline?

• According to a study, Minocycline is not allowed to be taken during pregnancy due to hepatotoxicity. It is classified as FDA pregnancy category D medicine. 
• Also, the medicine should be decreased in patients with renal impairment. 
• Pregnant women should avoid tetracyclines due to tooth discoloration and fetal bone growth. According to 
• Breastfeeding women should use it short term due to low excretion and calcium in breast milk. 
• Monitor the infant for rash, diarrhea, or candidiasis, as black discoloration of breast milk is reported.
• Patients under 16 should avoid it due to potential permanent teeth discoloration. It is advised to avoid Minocycline until all crowns are completed. 

It is important to monitor therapeutic doses and renal function in patients with chronic renal failure to avoid further uremia aggravation.

What to Do to Avoid Minocycline Side Effects?

To lessen the possibility of negative effects from using Minocycline:

 Minocycline should be taken exactly as directed.

• take when eating. This lessens an unsettled stomach.
• To avoid unpleasant side effects like lightheadedness or dizziness, drink plenty of water.
• You become more susceptible to sunlight while taking Minocycline, so wear sunscreen and cover-up.
• You should speak with your healthcare practitioner if you develop any unusual or serious side effects.
• When taking this drug, it is advisable to minimize or avoid alcohol because it can raise the chance of some side effects.
• Avoid taking dairy products and Minocycline together because they affect the drug’s absorption.
• As your body gets used to the drug, some side effects could get better with time.

Always speak with your doctor for specific recommendations and to address any worries relating to the medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if you take expired Minocycline?

Taking expired Minocycline is risky. It becomes less effective. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria also developed as it lost its effectiveness. Chemical changes in the medication also happen. It consequently results in unknown side effects. 

What happens if you stop taking Minocycline

When you stop taking Minocycline, especially for a specific condition, you risk the return or worsening of that condition.It won’t completely treat the illness if you use it for one. Additionally, the bacteria develop an immunity to antibiotics. If it’s for acne, breakouts surely recur. 

What happens if you take too much Minocycline

Taking too much Minocycline causes problems like nausea and vomiting. Also, dizziness, blurred vision, and severe headache may happen. It leads to seizures or coma in severe cases. If you suspect an overdose, go for treatment. To avoid such conditions, always follow your prescribed dosage carefully.

Can Minocycline make you depressed?

According to some user’s experience, you may think Minocycline can make you depressed. However, recent studies informed that Minocycline can work as an antidepressant. Yet, there is no strong evidence that it can work for you as an antidepressant. But there are so many negative reports stating that people suffer from depression due to this.   

How long does Minocycline stay in your system?

As The half-life of Minocycline, it takes for half of the medication to be eliminated from the body. Generally, it varies based on age, kidney function, and dosage. On average, it takes 11 to 22 hours for Minocycline to be fully eliminated. However, its effects can be longer. Especially if taken for an extended period. Skin pigmentation changes, or gut bacteria impact, exist even after the medication is removed. 

Can Minocycline cause weight gain?

No. Not only Minocycline, there are no antibiotics that cause weight gain. In fact, weight gain is not even considered as a side effect. 

Conclusion

Knowing how Minocycline ruined my life, I hope to know the tips the adverse effects you will not face. In fact, my intent is not to discredit the efficacy of medical treatments. Also, I am not sharing this to discourage people from seeking medical help when necessary. But instead to shed light on the often overlooked and unpredictable side effects that seemingly affect treatments.