INFO - American College of Rheumatology on minocycline

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American College of Rheumatology

Last updated Jun 2006

Patient information on minocycline

Description

Minocycline (Minocin) is a member of the tetracycline group of

antibiotics. Although rheumatoid arthritis is not an infection,

minocycline may improve the signs and symptoms of this disease. There

is evidence minocycline may slow the progression of joint damage in

arthritis and prevent disability like other drugs in the class known

as DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs).

Uses

Minocycline is prescribed for patients with symptoms of mild

rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes in combination with other medications

to treat patients with persistent symptoms of this form of arthritis.

How it works

Minocycline is an antibiotic, which means it helps neutralize or kill

bacteria that cause infections. When used to treat rheumatoid

arthritis, however, minocycline works through a different mechanism to

control inflammation. Minocycline decreases the production of

substances causing inflammation, such as prostaglandins and

leukotrienes, while increasing production of interleukin-10, a

substance that reduces inflammation.

Dosing

Minocycline usually is given as a 100 milligram (mg) capsule twice a

day. It may be taken with food, although it should not be taken with

other medications such as antacids or iron tablets.

Time to effect

It may take 2 to 3 months before any improvement in arthritis symptoms

is experienced and up to a year before maximum benefits are realized.

Side effects

The most common side effects from this medicine are gastrointestinal

symptoms, dizziness and skin rash. Patients who take this medication

for a long time may notice changes in their skin color, but this

usually resolves after stopping the medication.

Some women who take minocycline develop vaginal yeast infections.

While this can occur with other antibiotics, it seems more prevalent

with minocycline and other tetracyclines. It is thought minocycline

kills bacteria normally present in the body which protect against

yeast infections.

Minocycline may increase sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in more

frequent sunburns or the development of rashes following sun exposure.

It is recommended patients apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) before

outdoor activities or avoid prolonged exposure to the sun while taking

minocycline.

More rarely, minocycline can affect the kidneys or liver. Doctors may

recommend periodic blood tests for long-term users to check liver and

kidney function. In equally rare cases, minocycline can induce lupus,

but this condition usually improves after stopping the medication.

Points to remember

Before taking minocycline, tell your doctor if you have ever had any

unusual or allergic reaction to any other tetracycline antibiotic.

Minocyline use during pregnancy can slow the growth of teeth or bones

in infants after birth as well as cause discoloration of the newborn's

teeth when taken during the last half of pregnancy. Because

minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control

pills, talk with your doctor about other contraception options while

taking minocycline.

Minocycline is passed into breast milk, so mothers should avoid

breast-feeding to prevent delayed development of teeth and bones in

their infants. Minocycline can increase a nursing infant's risk of

fungal infections or dizziness in the newborn. Because minocycline may

cause discoloration of teeth and problems with bone growth in young

children, it is recommended that those younger than 8 years old not

take this medication. This is not a problem in older children and

adults.

Drug interactions

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications you are

taking, including over-the-counter drugs and natural remedies.

Possible interactions with minocycline may occur when taking warfarin

(Coumadin), antacids containing calcium, aluminum or magnesium (such

as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, or Mylanta), iron tablets and oral

contraceptives (birth control pills).

For more information

The American College of Rheumatology has compiled this list to give

you a starting point for your own additional research. The ACR does

not endorse or maintain these Web sites, and is not responsible for

any information or claims provided on them. It is always best to talk

with your rheumatologist for more information and before making any

decisions about your care.

National Institutes of Health Medline Plus link

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682101.html

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/minocycline.asp

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Is Doxycycline and Mino about the same? That is what my doc started me on.

Joy

<Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...> wrote:

American College of Rheumatology

Last updated Jun 2006

Patient information on minocycline

Description

Minocycline (Minocin) is a member of the tetracycline group of

antibiotics. Although rheumatoid arthritis is not an infection,

minocycline may improve the signs and symptoms of this disease. There

is evidence minocycline may slow the progression of joint damage in

arthritis and prevent disability like other drugs in the class known

as DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs).

Uses

Minocycline is prescribed for patients with symptoms of mild

rheumatoid arthritis, sometimes in combination with other medications

to treat patients with persistent symptoms of this form of arthritis.

How it works

Minocycline is an antibiotic, which means it helps neutralize or kill

bacteria that cause infections. When used to treat rheumatoid

arthritis, however, minocycline works through a different mechanism to

control inflammation. Minocycline decreases the production of

substances causing inflammation, such as prostaglandins and

leukotrienes, while increasing production of interleukin-10, a

substance that reduces inflammation.

Dosing

Minocycline usually is given as a 100 milligram (mg) capsule twice a

day. It may be taken with food, although it should not be taken with

other medications such as antacids or iron tablets.

Time to effect

It may take 2 to 3 months before any improvement in arthritis symptoms

is experienced and up to a year before maximum benefits are realized.

Side effects

The most common side effects from this medicine are gastrointestinal

symptoms, dizziness and skin rash. Patients who take this medication

for a long time may notice changes in their skin color, but this

usually resolves after stopping the medication.

Some women who take minocycline develop vaginal yeast infections.

While this can occur with other antibiotics, it seems more prevalent

with minocycline and other tetracyclines. It is thought minocycline

kills bacteria normally present in the body which protect against

yeast infections.

Minocycline may increase sensitivity to sunlight, resulting in more

frequent sunburns or the development of rashes following sun exposure.

It is recommended patients apply sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) before

outdoor activities or avoid prolonged exposure to the sun while taking

minocycline.

More rarely, minocycline can affect the kidneys or liver. Doctors may

recommend periodic blood tests for long-term users to check liver and

kidney function. In equally rare cases, minocycline can induce lupus,

but this condition usually improves after stopping the medication.

Points to remember

Before taking minocycline, tell your doctor if you have ever had any

unusual or allergic reaction to any other tetracycline antibiotic.

Minocyline use during pregnancy can slow the growth of teeth or bones

in infants after birth as well as cause discoloration of the newborn's

teeth when taken during the last half of pregnancy. Because

minocycline may decrease the effectiveness of some birth control

pills, talk with your doctor about other contraception options while

taking minocycline.

Minocycline is passed into breast milk, so mothers should avoid

breast-feeding to prevent delayed development of teeth and bones in

their infants. Minocycline can increase a nursing infant's risk of

fungal infections or dizziness in the newborn. Because minocycline may

cause discoloration of teeth and problems with bone growth in young

children, it is recommended that those younger than 8 years old not

take this medication. This is not a problem in older children and

adults.

Drug interactions

Be sure to tell your doctor about all of the medications you are

taking, including over-the-counter drugs and natural remedies.

Possible interactions with minocycline may occur when taking warfarin

(Coumadin), antacids containing calcium, aluminum or magnesium (such

as Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, or Mylanta), iron tablets and oral

contraceptives (birth control pills).

For more information

The American College of Rheumatology has compiled this list to give

you a starting point for your own additional research. The ACR does

not endorse or maintain these Web sites, and is not responsible for

any information or claims provided on them. It is always best to talk

with your rheumatologist for more information and before making any

decisions about your care.

National Institutes of Health Medline Plus link

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682101.html

http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/medications/minocycline.asp

Not an MD

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

They are tetracyclines, but different.  Doxy, I know, if a popular Lyme's drug,

but have heard of a few trying it for RA with OK results.

Shandi

From: Joy <jhoorm01@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] INFO - American College of Rheumatology on minocycline

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 8:48 PM

Is Doxycycline and Mino about the same? That is what my doc started

me on.

Joy