Let's take a minute to talk about your medication.

This is minocycline ER. It helps to treat pimples and red bumps that can happen with acne. It may have other uses as well.

You should take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. You should swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not cut, crush or chew it. Minocycline can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may reduce irritation to the esophagus. 

Most people tolerate this medicine well. Common side effects include a headache, itching, dizziness, and feeling tired. You should wait until you know how this medicine affects you before doing activities that require you to be alert, like driving. This medicine can also make your skin sensitive to sunlight. You should protect your skin with sunscreen and protective clothing. Also, you should not use tanning beds or sunlamps. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. With minocycline ER, this includes serious liver problems and skin reactions. You should read the Patient Information Sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. In some patients, diarrhea can occur. You should call your doctor if diarrhea is severe, if it lasts for more than 2 days, or if it contains blood. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and may order blood tests.

Minocycline ER can harm unborn babies. Women should check with their doctors before becoming pregnant and before breastfeeding. Men should check with their doctors before attempting to father a child. 

Minocycline ER can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines. 

For best results with minocycline ER, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to reduce the risk of side effects.