Minocycline for Acne Treatment
Acne is caused by overactive sebaceous glands producing excess oil, clogging pores with dead skin cells, and providing a favorable environment for bacteria. Minocycline is one of several oral tetracycline antibiotics effective at treating acne. Available in several brand-name and generic versions, it kills the Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria.
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Purpose
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Minocycline is prescribed for patients with chronically persistent and severe acne that has not responded effectively to other methods. It is approved to treat nodular acne, which involves large, painful, solid lesions under the skin surface; and for cystic acne, which causes deep, painful, pus-filled lesions that can leave scars. One particular brand, Solodyn, is also approved to treat moderate acne.
Function
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Like all antibiotics, minocycline eliminates bacteria and prevents further bacterial growth, but the tetracyclines have another benefit in regard to acne--reducing inflammation. Even when pimples still occur, the redness, swelling, and pain are lessened. Minocycline treatment is most effective when the patient continues to apply a topical retinoid or benzoyl peroxide cream as well.
Considerations
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Physicians prefer to prescribe antibiotic acne treatment for as short a time as possible, because acne bacteria become resistant to the medication. According to a 2009 article in Dermatology Times, acne bacteria resistance to antibiotics has been increasing rapidly since the 1970s. Minocycline has maintained the best effectiveness during this time, while erythromycin no longer works against acne bacteria in the U.S.
Side Effects
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Minocycline can cause numerous side effects, although most disappear quickly. These include diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fatigue, fever, headache, indigestion, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting, rash, skin redness, and skin reaction to sunlight. Taking minocycline for many months can cause skin discoloration that looks like bruises, which eventually fades away after minocycline use is discontinued. A rare serious side effect is development of lupus, which occurs in about 1 of 10,000 people, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
Additional Uses
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Along with acne, minocycline is used against other infections including chlamydia, gonorrhea, Lyme disease, urinary tract infections, and painful, swollen joints, as in rheumatoid arthritis. It is also effective at treating rosacea, a chronic facial rash that creates redness and bumps.
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