Minocycline (Minocin) Medication Info

Detailed Information

Minocycline is a semisynthetic tetracycline antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of bacteria. It is used to treat skin infections, urinary tract infections, gallbladder infections, respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and sinusitis.

Minocycline's antimicrobial spectrum is very similar to that of doxycycline with one important addition: it has much more antistaphylococcal activity.

Minocycline is used to treat variety of infections:

Respiratory tract infections (laryngotracheitis, tracheobronchitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, bronchiectasis, bronchopneumonia, pneumonia, lung abscess).
Urinary tract infections: (pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis).
Skin and soft tissue infections (abscess, acne, cellulitis, infected dermatitis, folliculitis, furunculosis, impetigo, lymphadenitis, suppurative hydradenitis, infected wounds).
Sexually transmitted diseases
Ophthalmological infections.

Off-label uses (not FDA-approved):

Lyme disease5
Rosacea
Sarcoidosis
Cystic fibrosis

Minocycline Advantages & Benefits

Long half-life (from 11.1 to 22.1 hours).
Once- or twice-daily dosage regimen.
Excellent bioavailability.
Achieves high concentrations in the tissues: the concentration in tissues is generally 2 to 4 times higher with minocycline than with tetracycline.
Effective for treatment and urgent prophylaxis of anthracic infection caused by tetracycline-resistant B. anthracis strains1.
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory actions4.
Active against approximately 87% of tetracycline resistant staphylococci.
Active against many strains of staphylococci which are resistant to penicillin G and certain semisynthetic penicillins.

Minocycline Drawbacks

Contraindicated for use in children under 8 years of age. May cause permanent teeth discoloration.
Rare serious adverse effects:
lupus-like syndrome (1:20,000)
oral mucosa pigmentation (blue-black pigmentation)
hypersensitivity syndrome within 1-3 months
delayed arthralgias or polyarthritis
intracranial hypertension
More expensive than other tetracyclines.

Minocycline for acne treatment

Minocycline has a long history of use in treating acne. This antibiotic is most commonly used in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. It is especially useful for pustular type acne. However, treatment with Minocycline generally is reserved for patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate other treatment options.

In two clinical studies Minocycline was found to be superior to other tetracyclines. Another study showed it to be more effective than 2% fusidic acid, applied topically, against inflammatory lesions in mild to moderate acne3.

Dosage regimen for acne

50 mg once or twice daily; or
100 mg once or twice daily

Minocycline Alternatives - Natural Antibiotics

Garlic
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Thyme
Eucalyptus
Colloidal Silver
Onions
Bee Propolis
Tea Tree oil
Olive leaf extract (calcium elenolate)

References

1. Pomerantsev AP, Shishkova NA, Marinin LI. Comparison of therapeutic effects of antibiotics of the tetracycline group in the treatment of anthrax caused by a strain inheriting tet-gene of plasmid pBC16 Antibiot Khimioter. 1992 Apr;37(4):31-4. PubMed
2. Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety PubMed
3. Garner SE, Eady EA, Popescu C, Newton J, Li WA. Minocycline for acne vulgaris: efficacy and safety. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(1):CD002086. PubMed
4. Alano CC, Kauppinen TM, Valls AV, Swanson RA. Minocycline inhibits poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 at nanomolar concentrations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Jun 20;103(25):9685-90. Epub 2006 Jun 12. PubMed
Muellegger RR, Zoechling N, Soyer HP, Hoedl S, Wienecke R, Volkenandt M, Kerl H. Abstract No detection of Borrelia burgdorferi-specific DNA in erythema migrans lesions after minocycline treatment. Arch Dermatol. 1995 Jun;131(6):678-82. PubMed