Minocycline

Minocycline hydrochloride, also known as minocycline, is a member of the broad spectrum tetracycline antibiotics, and has a broader spectrum than the other members. It is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. As a result of its long half-life it generally has serum levels 2-4 times that of most other tetracyclines (150 mg giving 16 times the activity levels compared to 250 mg of tetracycline at 24-48 hours). Minocycline was originally discovered by Lederle Laboratories and marketed under the brand name Minocin.

Indications
It is primarily used to treat acne and other skin infections as the one pill twice daily 100 mg dosage is far easier for patients than the four times a day required with tetracycline or oxytetracycline.

Although minocycline's broader spectrum of activity, compared to other members of the group, includes activity against Neisseria meningitidis, its use as a prophylaxis is no longer recommended because of side effects (dizziness and vertigo).

It may be used to treat certain strains of MRSA infection and disease caused by drug resistant Acinetobacter.

For other uses of minocycline see Tetracycline antibiotics and oxytetracycline as the uses are much the same between Tetracyclines with only minor exceptions.

Cautions
Contrary to all the other tetracycline antibiotics (Doxycyclin excluded), minocycline may be used in renal impairment, but may be aggravating systemic lupus erythematosus.

Also, more so than other tetracyclines, minocycline can cause the rare condition of secondary intracranial hypertension which has initial symptoms of headache, visual disturbances, and confusion. Meningitis and cerebral edema are rare side effects of minocycline.

Minocycline, like all tetracyclines, becomes dangerous past its expiration date. While most prescription drugs lose potency after their expiration dates, tetracyclines are known to become toxic over time; expired tetracyclines can cause serious damage to the kidneys.

Minocycline's absorption is impaired if taken at the same time of day as calcium or iron supplements. Unlike some of the other tetracycline group antibiotics, it can be taken with calcium rich foods such as milk, although this does reduce the absorption slightly (by ~5%).

Side effects
This medication may cause upset stomach, diarrhea, dizziness, unsteadiness, drowsiness, headache or vomiting. If these symptoms persist or worsen, one should notify their doctor. Minocycline increases sensitivity to sunlight. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen if needed. Very unlikely but should be reported: fever, yellowing of the eyes or skin, stomach pain, sore throat, vision changes and mental changes.

In those cases where this drug must be used for extended periods, blue-gray skin discoloration may occur. In the unlikely event one has an allergic reaction to this drug, immediate medical attention should be sought. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. Other effects not listed above should be reported to the doctor or pharmacist.

Uses

 * Acne
 * Amoebic dysentery
 * Anthrax
 * Cholera
 * Gonorrhea (when penicillin cannot be given)
 * Bubonic plague
 * Respiratory infections such as pneumonia
 * Rocky Mountain spotted fever
 * Syphilis (when penicillin cannot be given)
 * Urinary tract infections, rectal infections, and infections of the cervix caused by certain microbes

Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective
Current research is examining the possible neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline against progression of a group of neurodegenerative disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease, and Parkinsons disease, amongst others neurodegenerative diseases.

The neuroprotective action of minocycline may include its inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase, an inflammatory enzyme associated with brain aging, and is being studied for use in Alzheimer's disease patients. It also has been used as a "last ditch" treatment for toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients. Minocycline is neuroprotective in mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington's disease and has been recently shown to stabilize the course of Huntington's disease in humans over a 2-year period.

As an anti-inflammatory, minocycline inhibits apoptosis (cell death) via attenuation of TNF-alpha, downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokine output. This effect is mediated by a direct action of minocycline on the activated T cells and on microglia, which results in the decreased ability of T cells to contact microglia which impairs cytokine production in T cell-microglia signal transduction. Minocycline also inhibits microglial activation, through blockade of NF-kappa B nuclear translocation.

It is thought that minocycline exerts neuroprotective effects independent of its anti-inflammatory properties.

A recent study reported the impact of the antibiotic minocycline on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes and serum immune molecules in MS patients over 24 months of open-label minocycline treatment. Despite a moderately high pretreatment relapse rate in patients in the study prior to treatment, no relapses occurred between months 6 and 24. The only patient with gadolinium-enhancing lesions on MRI at 12 and 24 months was on half-dose minocycline. Levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), which at high levels might antagonize the proinflammatory IL-12 receptor, were elevated over 18 months of treatment, as were levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 was decreased by treatment. Clinical and MRI outcomes in this study were supported by systemic immunological changes and call for further investigation of minocycline in MS.

Trade names and availability
Minocycline is no longer covered by patent and is therefore marketed under several trade names:
 * Minomycin
 * Minocin
 * Arestin
 * Akamin
 * Aknemin
 * Solodyn
 * Dynacin
 * Sebomin

StoneBridge Pharma also markets Minocycline as Cleeravue-M in combination with SteriLid eyelid cleanser in the treatment of rosacea blepharitis.