In 2016 I decided to stop minocycline after four weeks. I can’t say I’d enjoyed taking an antibiotic to solve a skin issue. I was also preparing to start prescribed isotretinoin, so the timing between the two medicines mattered.

That timing should be managed with the prescriber, not improvised from an old blog post. Isotretinoin should not be taken concurrently with tetracycline antibiotics such as minocycline because of the risk of intracranial hypertension. In my case I left roughly two weeks between them; that records what I did, not a recommended washout interval for somebody else.

I had also hoped to fit in another blood donation before starting isotretinoin. Current Australian Lifeblood guidance says people taking long-term / low-dose minocycline for mild acne or rosacea are generally eligible to donate, but medication and donor eligibility should still be declared and checked with Lifeblood. Isotretinoin is different: blood donation is not permitted during treatment or for at least one month afterwards.

Update: It appears that minocycline only works as long as you are taking the pills. After approximately eight days my skin had become a bit spotty like it was before. It was incredible to have such good skin for a while. Here’s hoping isotretinoin is a long term solution! :-)

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