Lymecycline

Lymecycline 408mg antibiotic (tetracycline) capsules to treat acne. Reduces infection, inflammation, whiteheads, and blackheads.

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About Lymecycline

Lymecycline 480mg capsules are taken once daily for the treatment of acne. Lymecycline belongs to the tetracycline group of antibiotics. Surface skin bacteria cause infection and inflammation of acne spots. Lymecycline reduces infection and also reduces whitehead and blackhead formation and inflammation.

It can take up to 8 weeks of treatment before acne improves.

Lymecycline is manufactured by several drug companies.

How to take

Lymecycline should be taken with a glass of water or other drink, usually in the morning. It should not be taken within 2 hours of some medicines, particularly indigestion tablets or tablets containing calcium, aluminium, magnesium, zinc or iron - see the manufacturer’s Lymecycline patient information leaflet for further details about other interacting medicines.

Lymecycline side effects and cautions

Not suitable for children under 12 years, and only available from Dr Fox to over 18s.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should NOT take Lymecycline. It is also not suitable for people with a medical history of liver or kidney disease, systemic lupus erythematosus or Myasthenia Gravis.

As with any medicine Lymecycline can cause side effects, although these rarely require the capsules to be stopped. Heartburn and indigestion, inflammation of the mouth, and a flare up of thrush are all possible, as are discolouration of teeth and inflammation of the pancreas and liver damage and diarrhoea and intestinal upset.

Allergic or sensitivity reactions require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of this include facial swelling and difficulty breathing or severe reddening and generalised peeling and blistering of the skin. These reactions are rare and usually occur at the start of treatment.

When Lymecycline is started, for a week to 10 days, oral contraceptive pills may be ineffective and additional non-pill contraception is required during this period until the body adjusts.

Lymecycline, like other tetracyclines, can increase sensitivity to sunshine and UV light, exposure to which should be reduced and where possible be avoided.

What are alternative acne treatments?

Lymecycline should not normally be taken with other antibiotics or whilst using topical acne treatments containing antibiotics e.g. Zineryt, Dalacin T and Duac.

Antibiotics by mouth, such as Lymecycline,  may be more effective than topical antibiotic acne treatments although where topical treatments are effective, switching to oral antibiotics should not be necessary.

Minocycline is an alternative type of tetracycline used to treat acne, although is not popular with some skin specialists because of the risk of liver problems. Macrolide antibiotic, such as erythromycin, are sometimes prescribed as an alternative to tetracyclines.

Topical peeling and anti-inflammatory preparations can be used whilst Lymecycline is being taken e.g benzoyl peroxide and Epiduo. These work differently from antibiotics and combined therapy may confer additional benefit, if a single agent is not working on its own. Single agent treatment is preferred where it is effective, as the side effect potential and interactions are reduced.

Patient Information Leaflet

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine and must be read before taking the medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine.

Lymecycline 408mg patient leaflet

Authored 19 November 2015 by Dr B. Babor
MB ChB Dundee University 1996. NHS GP and dermatology specialist.

Reviewed by Dr Tony Steele, Dr A. Wood, Dr P. Hunt
Last reviewed 18 July 2018
Last updated 14 January 2020