Minocycline - what are the benefits and the side effects?

Minocycline acne treatment has been around for more than 30 years. It is a derivative of tetracycline antibiotics and like other tetracycline treatments it doesn’t actually cure acne, it only suppresses the condition.

Minocycline acne treatment is particularly useful in treating pustular type acne, although it is usually only prescribed for severe cases. It is often used for people who don’t react or can not tolerate erythromycin or tetracycline. Minocycline is taken orally and unlike some other treatments it can be taken with food and there is the added convenience of only having to take it once a day.

This treatment option helps to improve the appearance of acne by affecting it in two ways. Firstly, it has an anti-inflammatory effect which helps to reduce the redness, swelling and tenderness of pimples. Secondly, it helps to reduce the amount of acne causing bacteria (Proprionibacterium acnes) on the skin surface and follicles.

However, there is an ongoing debate among dermatologists over the relative risks and benefits of minocycline because this medication does have some rare but very serious side effects. Pseudotumor cerebri is one of them, which is an accumulation of fluid around the brain causing progressively worsening headaches and vision related problems. The other is, hypersensitivity lupus/hepatitis, which causes swollen painful joints and in some instances skin rash. Other symptoms may also include a fever, sore throat, flu-like symptoms, headaches and depression. Stop the medication immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

One in a hundred people may also have an allergy to minocycline may show up as an outbreak of hives two or three weeks after starting the treatment. Minocycline can also accumulate in the body if taken over a long length of time. If this happens, the medication turns dark purple in the body and may show up as a discoloration that looks like bruises that won’t go away. This will go away as long as the medication is stopped immediately, but it can take up to a year to disappear.

Like other antibiotics, minocycline acne treatments can also make the skin more sensitive to light (photosensitive) and more susceptible to sunburn. If you are taking the medication try to avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight or using sun beds or sunlamps. Some women may also find they are more susceptible to thrush and yeast infections while taking minocycline.

Pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should not take minocycline acne treatment as it can cause skeletal problems for the developing fetus, and permanent discoloration of teeth.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Minocycline

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