Are the benefits of arthritis drugs worth the risks?
Is it OK to stop medications if my arthritis is in remission?
Arte there any arthritis treatments that won't affect my kidneys?

Community > Expert Q & A > Rheumatoid Arthritis > Is Minocycline Safe for Long-Term Use?

Text Size

| Print | Email

Is Minocycline Safe for Long-Term Use?

Q: I have been taking the antibiotic minocycline as a disease-modifying drug for the past two months to treat my RA. Is minocycline safe for long-term use? Will minocycline affect my health or my liver?

A: Minocycline, a drug similar to the antibiotic tetracycline, generally is considered to be one of the safer disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The most common side effects with using minocycline for three months or so are upset stomach, dizziness, discolored fingernails and rashes or dark pigmentation of the skin – especially on sun-exposed areas. Is minocycline safe for major organs? It can cause liver damage, but only in very rare cases. Your doctor should be examining you every few months and sending you for lab tests to make sure minocycline is working for your RA and not causing any side effects.

Minocycline is effective in about 60 percent of people with RA who use it. However, it often is not prescribed because it does not have FDA labeling approval for this use, and it is a relatively weak DMARD compared with methotrexate, leflunomide (Arava) or the biologics (Enbrel, Humira, Kineret, Orencia, Remicade and Rituxan). It isn’t the antibiotic properties, but the effects on the immune system and the ability to inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage and connective tissue that make minocycline (and other tetracycline drugs) so effective.

Don Miller, PharmD, Pharmacist

nina trejo

02 Sep 2010, 17:15

i live in a third world country and was diagnosed with ra.in the morning i looked in drmirkin.com +j106(the artcle on arthritis)and WITHOUT A DR.'S prescription went and bought minocycline, in a pharmacy,remember in third w.countries you don't need prescriptions for non controlled meds.and guess what it has already helped the pain in my hands.im going to try it for 2 months and have a drs checkup,but its worth a try.all my aches feel better.just one dose.

13 Aug 2010, 18:20

For the past 2 weeks my lower back has been hurting (somewhere near the hip area) to the point of almost heading to the ER from the pain and limited mobility. I was taking tylenol etc for relief and had many restless nights. Yes, i have been to a chiropractor more than once over the years as the pain comes/goes. I took one dose of minocyclin had it for my acne) this morning and by mid day i noticed i had NO pain what so ever. To add, i have not officially been dignosed w/RA but for the past 8yrs my RH factor has been SKY HIGH but no joint damage on xrays/mri but i do get bad joint pain/swelling off and on. The antibiotic MAY actually be the key to easing RA pain.

Margie

31 Jul 2010, 15:43

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 40 years. Yuck! Ups and downs and a gazillion doctors and treatments. For those here who have a doctor, a rheumatologist are whoever who is unwilling to be open minded and try the anti-biotic treatment like minocyline then i encourage you to seek a second opinion. Regular medical doctors can prescribe anti-biotics. It's your life and your body and there are doctors willing to do what it takes to assist you, you just have to find them. Good luck!

29 Jul 2010, 00:40

I've had RA since 2002. The doctors have had me on Humira and Methorexate for several years, those drugs work fine for me. Afew weeks ago, I came down with a case of Tonsilitus. i went to the Urgent care and they put me on Docycline. Almost immeidatley I began feeling better. It was the best Ive felt in a long time. I talked to my Rhumy about it and he said that it was an older option. Next time I go in to see him, Im going ot ask about switching off TNF and going to an antibotic treatment.

Ella

01 Jul 2010, 14:25

I had childhood asthma and have been taking lots and lots of antibiotics while growing up. During the last few years all of a sudden I get rheumatoid arthritis. My rheumatoid factor keeps doubling up. I've been on sulfasalizine and hydroxychloroquinine and methotrexate and folic acid. Recently in March I had surgery and was not allowed to take methotrexate because it would interfere with the surgery. It may have been the "normal" progression of the disease, but my RA attacks were so bad that my doctor had me on a round of steriods twice. (It grows cataracts) Now my doctor is continuing to keep me on prednisone until at least I begin to take a biologic injectible. I'm wondering if minocycline could be the answer? Could a drug regimen of sulfasalizine and hydroxychloroquine work with minocycline and replace methotrexate and prednisone?

kathy davis

16 May 2010, 20:51

I was diagnosed w/ RA a few months ago. I was put on sulfasolazene, plaquinil and methotrexate. I was given an injection of methotrexate when suffering from bronchitis and shortly thereafter was admitted to the hospital w/ pneumonia. I feel, from what I read, that I had methotrexate pneumonitis. Since then, I have not wanted to go back on methotrexate. My doctor agreed to discontinue the methotrexate for now, and when I asked him, he agreed to put me on minocycline along w/ the plaquinel and sulfasolozine. I haven't heard of anyone else taking this combo.I wondered if anyone out there had tried these 3 drugs together? Also, I wonder if I should be receiving an infusion of the minocycline along w/ the tablets.Can anyone tell me? Thanks!

C Wood

13 May 2010, 01:58

I was diagnosed with RA about 14 years ago at the age of 58. at this time I take 20mg of Methotrexate once a week and 200mg of Minicycline every day. Flare ups are very rare since I changed from 4000mg of Salazopyrin each day to the Minicycline. It seems to work well for me, no liver function problems at all and only a couple of small skin discolourations which I can live with.
Worth a try, but you have to find a Rheumatologist with an open mind and who is not analy retentive.

Steven

02 Dec 2009, 04:55

It is my understanding that Minocycline must be taken for a long period of time >6 months before it can be deemed a hit or miss.

Jennifer

31 Oct 2009, 01:00

I have been suffering from some time of autoimmune disease for some time now. My quality of life has been terrible. Fatigue, joint pain, lung pain, sgrojens type symptoms, stomach aches during flare ups, even rhinitis--you name it. It seems my body is attacking itself. I know I must see a rheumatologist. Something unusual happened however, I got some sort of infection and was put on Doxycycline. You know what? Except for some nausea, I haven't felt this great in two years. I will definitely insist on antibiotic therapy when I go to a doc. My ten days are up on the meds, sadly, but I can't wait to explore this therapy and go on with my life. It is very frustrating, because I'm only 32 years old. I feel like something as simple as antibiotic therapy might cause some people to lose a little money (big business, meds are). That is tragic. Good luck to all!!

Sierra

12 Sep 2009, 21:48

I had low hopes for Minocycline, especially after having difficulty with a number of other R.A. drugs, but I had read about some successes on the Road Back Foundation website, and suggested it to my rheumatologist. It has put me in remission! I've been on it for three years. It's a very slow-acting medication for R.A.--my doc said it could take 6 months to benefit, but I actually got relief earlier. I had a strong positive anti-CCP, a predictor of severe disease, so to be doing so well is just amazing!

Kim Votava

10 Aug 2009, 12:58

Wehave a daughter who was diagnosed with JIA. As a result of this she also has Uveitis stage 3. She has been on predisone, methotrexate, tries pulse treatments, and eye drops, all in the past 21/2 months. Now the Dr. wants to put her on Enbrel but I am concerned about the side effects of cancer. How does a parents do what is right for their children with such high stakes?

Brigitte Barrera

02 Jun 2009, 11:56

I just started on MTX 5 pills once a week. I wanted to know if I can take the Minocycline with that too. I also take Black Cohosh for Menopause symptoms.I don't know if that is too much for my Liver?

Joy Rayburg

26 Apr 2009, 13:41

I have had a number of problems in past and have been hospitalized a few times. irregular heart beat, high blood pressure, rash on body, weakness and tiredness in body. I used to ahve a very active lifestile. I know that I am now 67 but for a long time have had a hard time functioning. I want so bad to exersise but am in so much pain in joints. Knees, groin, legs and feet the worst. Agreat doctor tested me for viruss and found EBV and CMV antibodies present. I dont know who to see and wondered if there was a program or doctor out there that I could see or participate in. I am now having a hard time working much. I do try and have been taking ibiprofen once or twice a day. My family keeps telling me to try and loose weight as I have gain 30 lbs in last 5 years. I eat a lot of vegetables and am healthy other than this feeling of arthritis. I am a very positive person and do not get depressed but the pain does keep me down. I live off of ss and ssi help. I have no hame or savings to dip into for help. Mdicare is paying for doctors appoint. I need deeper help. Thank you so much for listening. I pray that you can help. Joy

linda nesbitt

30 Mar 2009, 17:13

I've had ra for 8 yrs now and have been on enbrel for 7 and now a low dose of mtx, I've always wanted to try the minocycline but can't find a ra dr. who will do this. I mix my enbrel and I take a lower dose than what is prescribed. My dr knows I do this and is fine w/it b/c I'm doing very well. I'm very active w/bike, swim, weigths and feel very good. Does the minocyline get rid of the ra factor? all my blood work is good except for the high ra factor thank you

Luann Flanders

23 Mar 2009, 15:56

I have been taking Minocycline (100mg daily)for two years for mild Rheumatoid Arthritis. I also take .05cc injection of Methrotrexate sub-cutaneous once weekly. I have had two minor flares in the last year and manage them with tylenol. The flares subside in 2 days. I have had no side effects and plan to continue this prescription indefinitely. I feel well and the minocycline has cleared my chronic sinus infections.

The comment function provides the opportunity to comment on the content above.

General comments or questions to Arthritis Today editors and medical experts can be submitted here. Past medical questions and answers are available here.

Promotion of products and services and other inappropriate comments are prohibited and will be removed. If you spot one of these before we do, please send an alert.

All fields are required but only your name and comment will be displayed. Your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.

Name:
Email:
Text:
Enter the words shown above separated by space Enter the numbers you hear

Is Minocycline Safe for Long-Term Use?

Is Minocycline Safe for Long-Term Use?

Leave a Comment