New Medications I'm On

[PhilsterT]

I went to the dermatologist this morning and I got some new medications he wants me to be taking. I'm a little worried because I'm afriad they might really mess me up. I have to now use super heavy sunscreen all the time and have to drink excessive amounts of water. (I will get the exact medication later.) But, I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with acne medication and working out. (I'm afriad to go out in the sun because it said severe reaction in sun--or something.)

[Davidelmo]

If you know what medication it is, that might be more helpful

I dont know why skin medication would affect your working out. Tetracycline or oxytetracycline is a popular one in the UK. It's just an antibiotic.

[TheGimp]

It was years ago that I was on oxytetracycline but IIRC it has to be taken on an empty stomach, right? That could be a tad inconvenient as far as meal timing goes.

If it's accutane then that can have a deleterious effect on joints.

[getfit]

tetracycline is quite strong,i've taken it and i always felt nauseous

[PhilsterT]

(Thanks for replying so quickly. For some reason it makes me feel better. I'm just a little worried because some of the side-effects are slightly worrysome--and my doctor is telling me to do things differently than some of the medications.)

Okay, the pill I was given is Minocycline 100mg Cap. It says that it shouldn't be taken with food (but also says it can). But, it says I can't eat 2-3 hours before or after taking this medications. So...it's all a little bit questionable, but essentially there's like a 4-hour window of no food, and I can't be stable it also says. So, I have to be moving for 30 minutes after taking it. But, some side effects are dizziness, blurred vision, throwing-up, vaginal discomfort (if this happens stop use it says), rash, discomfort, ringing in the ears, upset stomache...

I just took my first one and my stomach feels like I just came out of a decent IMAX movie. So, not too bad, but I can definitley feel it. I drank lots of liquids and I ate a Hello Kitty snack pack (don't ask) just to give it a little something.

I just am a little worried about lifting heavy and having a blury hot-flash I guess. And, now my skin is going to become super sensitive.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I'm on Micocycline [antibiotics] right now and I also have to drink boatloads of water and stay away from the sun.

But, it says I can't eat 2-3 hours before or after taking this medications.

Well then I've been taking it wrong. All it says on my bottle is to take it by mouth twice daily.

But, some side effects are dizziness, blurred vision, throwing-up, vaginal discomfort (if this happens stop use it says), rash, discomfort, ringing in the ears, upset stomache...

I haven't experienced any of those, especially the vaginal discomfort since I have a PENIS.


I am lifting right now while on Minocycline and I'm fine.

[PhilsterT]

Have you had any problems our are there anythings that I should look out for?

(I'm a little worried--oddly enough--of having to use the bathroom constantly because it says to drinks LOTS of water. I think I might report this too my job so they don't question bathroom breaks.)

Anything I should look out for: smoking, drinking, certain types of physical activity... (actually, don't smoke or drink...so guess that's not a problem).

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I don't think there's anything to worry about.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a682101.html

Minocycline may be taken with or without food. Drink a full glass of water with each dose.

be aware that antacids, calcium supplements, iron products, and laxatives containing magnesium interfere with minocycline, making it less effective. Take minocycline 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids (including sodium bicarbonate), calcium supplements, and laxatives containing magnesium. Take minocycline 2 hours before or 3 hours after iron preparations and vitamin products that contain iron.

Just do your normal activities and take it with food.

[PhilsterT]

Ah, so that's what the doctor was talking about. He said something about not taking calcium and other antacids (foods heavy in these as well) around the time you take medication because it could make it less efective.

Alright, well, thanks. I think I'm just going to give it an hour before I eat anything, just for good times this time. I have sushi for lunch (yum!).

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I think it's calcium supplements that you should be worrying about, because the site said you could take it with food or milk -->

Minocycline may cause an upset stomach. Take minocycline with food or milk.

This would lead me to assume it's ok to have foods containing calcium, but not calcium supplements.

[PhilsterT]

Yeah, hmph. My doctor was telling me to do stuff that the medicine told me to do otherwise...so I don't know. Hmph.

[twisteddendrite]

I looked it up and itchy rectum might be another side, so if you find yourself scooting around on the carpet you will know why.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I would say that's not funny, but that is one of the possible side effects, lol.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from minocycline are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

* upset stomach
* itching of the rectum or vagina
* diarrhea
* dizziness or lightheadedness
* furry darkening or black discoloration of the tongue

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

* skin rash
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* pain or discomfort in the mouth
* throat sores
* fever or chills

[razorcut]

Here's some more light reading to fan the flames of paranoia:

Reference: Mosby's Drug Consult
Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc.

ADVERSE REACTIONS REPORTED WITH MINOCYCLINE --- my particular favorites are bolded:

Body as a Whole: Fever, and discoloration of secretions.
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, stomatitis, glossitis, dysphagia, enamel hypoplasia, enterocolitis, pseudomembranous colitis, pancreatitis, inflammatory lesions in the oral anogenital regions.
Genitourinary: Vulvovaginitis.
Hepatic: Hyperbilirubinemia, hepatic cholestasis, increases in liver enzymes, fatal hepatic failure, and jaundice. Hepatitis, including autoimmune hepatitis, and liver failure have been reported.
Skin: Alopecia, erythema nodosum, hyperpigmentation of nails, pruritus, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and vasculitis. Maculopapular and erythematous rashes. Exfoliative dermatitis has been reported. Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson sydrome have been reported.
Respiratory: Cough, dyspnea, bronchospasm, exacerbation of asthma, and pneumonitis.
Renal: Interstitial nephritis. Reversible acute renal failure has been rarely reported.
Musculoskeletal: Arthralgia, arthritis, bone discoloration, myalgia, joint stiffness, and joint swelling.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Urticaria, angioneurotic edema, polyarthralgia, anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction (including shock and fatalities), anaphylactoid purpura, myocarditis, pericarditis, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus and pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia have been reported. A transient lupus-like syndrome and serum sickness-like reactions also have been reported.
Blood: Agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, neutropenia, pancytopenia, and eosinophilia have been reported.
Central Nervous System: Convulsions, dizziness, hypesthesia, paresthesia, sedation, and vertigo. Bulging fontanels in infants and benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) in adults have been reported. Headache has also been reported.

The bottom line is this: There is an exhaustive list like this for every single prescription medication on the market. If someone wants to find a reason not to take a medicine, they'll find one. As has been suggested, drink your water and wear your sunscreen.....you'll be fine.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

LOL! Gawd...I'm on this stuff for a month. My digestive system kind of sucks right now because the antiobiotics kills the active culture in the intestines. Meh...

I've only got about 5 days left...thankfully.

[Davidelmo]

How bad IS your skin? Is it actually worth taking the antibiotics?

I know I sound like a right old fogey but I try to stay clear of antibiotics unless I can really help it. I hardly ever get sick now too. Antibiotics kill of the "good bacteria" - our natural flora which help our digestion, improve our immune function etc etc etc.

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

How bad IS your skin? Is it actually worth taking the antibiotics?

I've decided that I'm stopping the medication NOW. It makes me feel like crap and it isn't doing anything. I'm going to get the topical medication instead and see if that helps. My acne is pretty bad, but it is getting better. I have scars on my face though from the acne. It's pretty ****ing annoying.

Antibiotics kill of the "good bacteria" - our natural flora which help our digestion, improve our immune function etc etc etc.

I know...I'm probably going to go buy some flora to replenish what I've lost. Would eating yogurt help?

[Davidelmo]

Yeah. I had acne when I was a little younger. Topical stuff worked much better. In fact I was actually allergic to the yellow sugar coating on the outside of the tetracycline pills I had!
I don't know how old you are, but hopefully you'll grow out of it. I'm only 20 but mine has gone completely.. i think i got it all out of the way from about 14-16.

I think yoghurt would be fine, yeah! I dont know what it's like in the US, but here in the UK everyone is getting really excited about the "good bacteria" bandwagon. The TV is saturated with adverts for actimel probiotics, shakes, yoghurts etc etc etc. It's probably a good idea though.. I dread to think about the digestive systems of the people who live off pizza, beer, kebabs and curries.

I've decided that I'm stopping the medication NOW. It makes me feel like crap and it isn't doing anything. I'm going to get the topical medication instead and see if that helps. My acne is pretty bad, but it is getting better. I have scars on my face though from the acne. It's pretty ****ing annoying.


I know...I'm probably going to go buy some flora to replenish what I've lost. Would eating yogurt help?

[sCaRz*Of*PaiN]

I don't know how old you are, but hopefully you'll grow out of it.

I just turned 22 today. My hormones decided to kick in late or something. I didn't have acne in high school.

[PhilsterT]

Well, I'll be taking this antibiotic for only 30 days (hopefully). I will see how it works.

My acne is not too bad, but I want to try some medication anyway. I'm day it's medium to light.

[ectx]

Here's some more light reading to fan the flames of paranoia:

Reference: Mosby's Drug Consult
Copyright © 2006 Mosby, Inc.
....

Mosby's and RxList seem to be all I read now. Fun stuff, eh?

I usually tell my sister to stay away from the package inserts. Luckily the writing is really tiny so she does. It would not be good for a hypochondriac to read them.

[Davidelmo]

I just turned 22 today. My hormones decided to kick in late or something. I didn't have acne in high school.

Happy birthday!

I was the other way around. I had spots when I was younger than most of my classmate, and I was teased for it.
But then, a few years later, mine had cleared up when everyone else was just getting them. It was good for me because thats when you start getting interested in girls too!