Uses
Sarecycline is used to treat certain types of acne in adults and children 9 years of age and older. Sarecycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works to treat acne by killing the bacteria that infects pores and decreasing a certain natural oily substance that causes acne.
Antibiotics such as sarecycline will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Side Effects Of Sarecycline
Sarecycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking sarecycline and call your doctor immediately:
- severe headache, blurred vision, seeing double, or loss of vision
- watery or bloody stools, stomach cramps, or fever during treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment
- return of fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
Sarecycline may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking sarecycline:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sarecycline, doxycycline, minocycline, omadacycline, tetracycline, demeclocycline, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in sarecycline tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: acitretin (Soriatane); anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); bismuth subsalicylate; digoxin (Cardoxin, Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); isotretinoin (Absorica, Amnesteem, Clavaris, Myorisan, Zenatane); and penicillin. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- be aware that antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium; laxatives containing magnesium; and iron products interfere with sarecycline, making it less effective. Take sarecycline 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking antacids, calcium supplements, and laxatives containing magnesium. Take sarecycline 2 hours before or 4 hours after iron preparations and vitamin products that contain iron.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri; high pressure in the skull that may cause headaches, blurry or double vision, vision loss, and other symptoms).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking sarecycline, call your doctor immediately. Sarecycline can harm the fetus.
- you should know that sarecycline may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Sarecycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. Tell your doctor right away if you get a sunburn.
- you should know that sarecycline may cause fertility problems in males. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.
- you should know that when sarecycline is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to age 8, it can cause the teeth to become permanently stained or temporarily affect bone growth. Sarecycline should not be used in children under age 8.
Dosage Of Sarecycline
Sarecycline comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Drink a full glass of water with each dose of sarecycline. Take sarecycline at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take sarecycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
If you stop taking sarecycline too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to sarecycline.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
