Indication and Important Safety Information
INDICATION
MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection is indicated for the treatment of infections due to susceptible isolates of designated microorganisms, including Acinetobacter species bacteria. For the full list of indications and designated susceptible pathogens, please see the Full Prescribing Information.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Contraindications
MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines or to any of the components of the product formulation.
Warnings
Tooth Development
MINOCIN®, like other tetracycline-class antibacterials, can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If any tetracycline is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking these drugs, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. The use of drugs of the tetracycline class during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discoloration of the teeth (yellow-gray-brown).
This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drugs but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. Tetracycline drugs, therefore, should not be used during tooth development unless other drugs are not likely to be effective or are contraindicated.
Skeletal Development
All tetracyclines form a stable calcium complex in any bone-forming tissue. A decrease in the fibula growth rate has been observed in premature human infants given oral tetracycline in doses of 25 mg/kg every six hours. This reaction was shown to be reversible when the drug was discontinued.
Results of animal studies indicate that tetracyclines cross the placenta, are found in fetal tissues, and can have toxic effects on the developing fetus (often related to retardation of skeletal development). Evidence of embryotoxicity has been noted in animals treated early in pregnancy.
Dermatologic Reaction
Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) including fatal cases have been reported with minocycline use. If this syndrome is recognized, the drug should be discontinued immediately.
Anti-anabolic Action
The anti-anabolic action of the tetracyclines may cause an increase in BUN. While this is not a problem in those with normal renal function, in patients with significantly impaired function, higher serum levels of tetracycline may lead to azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and acidosis. Under such conditions, monitoring of creatinine and BUN is recommended, and the total daily dosage should not exceed 200 mg in 24 hours. If renal impairment exists, even usual oral or parenteral doses may lead to systemic accumulation of the drug and possible liver toxicity.
Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. This has been reported with minocycline.
Central Nervous System Effects
Central nervous system side effects including light-headedness, dizziness or vertigo have been reported. Patients who experience these symptoms should be cautioned about driving vehicles or using hazardous machinery while on minocycline therapy. These symptoms may disappear during therapy and usually disappear rapidly when the drug is discontinued.
Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea
Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including MINOCIN®, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibacterial use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.
Intracranial Hypertension
Intracranial hypertension (IH, pseudotumor cerebri) has been associated with the use of tetracyclines including MINOCIN®. Clinical manifestations of IH include headache, blurred vision, diplopia, and vision loss; papilledema can be found on fundoscopy. Women of childbearing age who are overweight or have a history of IH are at greater risk for developing tetracycline associated IH. Concomitant use of isotretinoin and MINOCIN® should be avoided because isotretinoin is also known to cause pseudotumor cerebri.
Although IH typically resolves after discontinuation of treatment, the possibility for permanent visual loss exists. If visual disturbance occurs during treatment, prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is warranted. Since intracranial pressure can remain elevated for weeks after drug cessation patients should be monitored until they stabilize.
PRECAUTIONS
As with other antibacterial preparations, use of this drug may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, the antibacterial should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted.
Hepatotoxicity has been reported with minocycline; therefore, minocycline should be used with caution in patients with hepatic dysfunction and in conjunction with other hepatotoxic drugs.
Incision and drainage or other surgical procedures should be performed in conjunction with antibiotic antibacterial therapy when indicated.
MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection contains magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. Because magnesium is excreted primarily by the kidney, serum levels of magnesium should be monitored in patients with renal impairment.
Because MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection contains magnesium, close monitoring is recommended in patients with heart block or myocardial damage.
Prescribing MINOCIN® (minocycline) for Injection in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
Adverse Reactions
For a complete list of adverse reactions that have been observed in patients receiving tetracyclines, consult the full prescribing information for MINOCIN® (minocycline) for injection.