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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Minocycline

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Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Question: Hello. I'm writing because I've been taking 100mg of minocycline daily for a year and a half to treat cystic acne. Granted, the medication is working wonderfully and my face looks as clear as it's ever looked. However, I don't want to be dependent on an antibiotic. That said, I'm currently trying to wean myself off of it. Last time I was taking 100mg of doxycycline for acne, and stopped cold turkey. In doing that, I had one of the worst acne flareups of my life. I'm trying not repeat the same mistake so I've developed a plan to wean myself off the minocycline. I've started eating more vegetables, and have begun taking turmeric capsules and fish oil as supplements (which I've read are good for treating cystic acne). My plan, which I've already implemented, is to take 6 pills a week for 3 weeks, then 5 pills a week for 3 weeks, 4 pills a week for 3 weeks, and so on and so on until I've effectively weaned myself off minocycline sometime in XXXXXXX Is this a good long-term way of weaning my body off minocycline? Thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks in advance!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Maheshwari (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Hi, you can wean off taking tab every other day.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thankyou for your Question.
Yes you can wean off minocycline slowly like first take 100mg daily for 1 week then 100 mg every other day .Then 100 mg 2 times a week and so on.
Mean while you may switch to topical antibiotic ointment for example a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin in the morning daily.

In the night applying ointment (differin 0.03 )retinoids (a derivative of vitamin A ) will be helpfull.

You may take vitamin C and E as supplement vitamins to decrease the acne and clear the skin.

Before weaning off minocycline abd using topical ointments ,you may discuss with your treating doctor first.

Hope I answered your Question.
Wish you best of Health.
You may ask further , if you have any question to ask.
Regards,
Dr.Maheshwari
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Maheshwari

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 766 Questions

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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Minocycline

Brief Answer: Hi, you can wean off taking tab every other day. Detailed Answer: Hello dear, Thankyou for your Question. Yes you can wean off minocycline slowly like first take 100mg daily for 1 week then 100 mg every other day .Then 100 mg 2 times a week and so on. Mean while you may switch to topical antibiotic ointment for example a combination of benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin in the morning daily. In the night applying ointment (differin 0.03 )retinoids (a derivative of vitamin A ) will be helpfull. You may take vitamin C and E as supplement vitamins to decrease the acne and clear the skin. Before weaning off minocycline abd using topical ointments ,you may discuss with your treating doctor first. Hope I answered your Question. Wish you best of Health. You may ask further , if you have any question to ask. Regards, Dr.Maheshwari