Minocycline Tablet Dosage and Treatment Duration
For adults, minocycline tablets are typically dosed at 200 mg initially, followed by 100 mg twice daily, with treatment duration varying by indication from 5-14 days for skin infections to several weeks for chronic conditions. 1
Adult Dosing Regimens
- For outpatient skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI): 200 mg initial dose, then 100 mg twice daily 1
- For acne vulgaris: 50-100 mg 1-3 times daily 1
- For chronic conditions requiring long-term therapy: 100-200 mg daily (doses up to 200 mg/day have been shown to be safe for long-term use) 2
Pediatric Dosing Regimens
- For children ≥8 years of age: 4 mg/kg initially, followed by 2 mg/kg every 12 hours 1
- Children under 8 years: Not recommended due to risk of permanent tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia 1
Treatment Duration by Indication
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Acne Vulgaris
- Continue maintenance dosage until clinical improvement allows discontinuation 1
- Long-term therapy may be required for some patients (mean duration in studies was 10.5 months) 2
Other Bacterial Infections
Important Considerations and Precautions
- Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to minocycline, any tetracycline, or any component in the preparation 1
- Renal function: Monitor plasma urea concentration in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment 4
- Pregnancy category: D - should not be used during pregnancy 1
- Nursing: Distributed into milk; discontinue nursing or the drug 1
Side Effects to Monitor
- Vestibular disturbances (vertigo) - higher incidence compared to other tetracyclines 4
- Pigmentation of skin and mucous membranes - more common with higher doses and cumulative doses over 70g 2
- Gastrointestinal effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 1
- Photosensitivity - though minocycline has less photosensitizing potential than other tetracyclines 4
Dosing Pitfalls to Avoid
- Avoid administration with antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium as they can reduce absorption 1
- Do not use as monotherapy for serious infections where resistance may develop 1
- For long-term therapy (particularly for acne), monitor for pigmentation which is dose and duration dependent 2
- Use with caution in patients with renal impairment 4
Minocycline's twice-daily dosing regimen offers an advantage over some other antibiotics requiring more frequent administration, potentially improving patient adherence 4.