Lymecycline for Acne

Lymecycline is an antibiotic that is used mainly for acne (spots).

It is used to treat infections such as:

• chest and sinus infections

• sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• infections in, or around, the mouth

Lymecycline kills the bacteria by stopping them make the proteins that they need to survive.

Lymecycline can be taken by most adults and children over the age of 12.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

• had an allergic reaction to lymecycline or any other medicine.

• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It can affect the teeth and bone development in your baby.

• breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known how much lymecycline passes into breast milk. However, it should be a small amount. It is best to use lymecycline for as short a time as possible when breastfeeding, ideally for no longer than 3 weeks.

• have liver problems.

• received or planning to receive a vaccine.

• have an autoimmune disease called lupus.

• have myasthenia gravis – a rare muscle-weakening disease.

• Tell your doctor if you take:
  • indigestion remedies
  • medicines that contain aluminium, calcium, iron, kaolin, bismuth, magnesium, or zinc
  • other antibiotics
  • quinapril
  • acne medicines containing vitamin A, such as isotretinoin
  • warfarin
  • tablets that make you pee more (diuretics)
  • medicines for epilepsy like phenytoin or carbamazepine

For acne, you’ll take 1 capsule of lymecycline once a day, usually in the morning. Each capsule contains 408mg of lymecycline.

When you take it for infections, follow your doctor’s instructions.

Always swallow the capsule whole, along with a full glass of water, while sitting or standing, as it’s important that the capsule does not get stuck in your throat as it could cause irritation. For this reason, do not take the capsules before you go to bed.

You can take this medicine with or without food. But you’re less likely to feel sick if you have it with food.

Some common side effects include:

• Feeling sick (nausea)

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Headaches

• Some people get a fungal infection called thrush after taking antibiotics like lymecycline. Symptoms include redness and itching in the mouth. Women may get vaginal itching. If this happens, talk to your doctor for advice.

Some serious side effects include:

• Liver problems: dark pee, eyes, or skin turning yellow are signs and symptoms of liver problems.

• Skin sensitivity: your skin becomes very sensitive to the sun.

• A serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis: signs and symptoms include a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin, tightness in the chest or throat, wheezing, trouble breathing, or talking, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat.

You should see some improvement within 1 week, but it can take several weeks before acne clears. For acne, your doctor will usually check you after 8 weeks to see if lymecycline has worked.

If you’re taking lymecycline for an infection, tell your doctor if you do not feel better after taking it for 7 days, or at any time if you start to feel worse.

Lymecycline can build up in growing teeth and bones. This can stain teeth permanently.

It only happens when bones and teeth are developing. That’s why lymecycline is not usually used in children under the age of 12 years, or during pregnancy.

Lymecycline does not stop any contraception from working, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

However, if you have severe diarrhea for more than 24 hours, your contraceptive pill may not protect you from pregnancy.

No, lymecycline does not cause purging. Its common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and headaches.  

Yes, you can drive and ride a bike while taking lymecycline.

You can drink alcohol while taking lymecycline.

If you are due to have the oral typhoid vaccine, stop taking lymecycline 3 days before the vaccine and restart 3 days afterward.