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Medicines Monitoring

Minocycline monitoring

Published Last updated
Topics: MinocyclineMonitoring
Using this page · Individualise medicines monitoring

This medicines monitoring page has been written using publications and expert opinion. It is designed to save clinician time, but not replace professional responsibility. When using this page you should: ensure an individualised monitoring plan is developed in partnership with the patient and take account of any locally agreed advice and guidance.

Contents

  1. Before starting
    1. Required
  3. Ongoing once stable
    1. Required if treatment longer than 6 months
    2. Consider if treatment longer than 6 months
  5. Abnormal results
    1. Respond to patient symptoms and conditions
    2. Respond to absolute values
  7. Notes
    1. Less suitable for prescribing
  9. Bibliography
  10. Update history

Before starting

Required

  • Baseline
    • Liver function testsIf hepatotoxicity suspected or extended treatment anticipated
    • Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rateIf renal impairment suspected or extended treatment anticipated

Ongoing once stable

Required if treatment longer than 6 months

  • Every 3 months
    • Liver function testsMay cause hepatitis
    • Pigmentation
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus

Consider if treatment longer than 6 months

  • Every 3 months
    • Full blood count
    • Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rateMay cause acute kidney injury

Abnormal results

Respond to patient symptoms and conditions

Stop minocycline if any of the following develop:

  • hepatotoxicity
  • unusual pigmentation
  • systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus-like or serum sickness-like syndromes or pre-existing SLE gets worse
  • raised intracranial pressure
  • hypersensitivity syndrome consisting of cutaneous reaction (such as rash or exfoliative dermatitis), eosinophilia and one or more of:
    • hepatitis
    • pneumonitis
    • nephritis
    • myocarditis
    • pericarditis
    • fever and lymphadenopathy

Respond to absolute values

Full blood count

Stop minocycline and contact specialist if eosinophil count more than upper limit of normal

Notes

Less suitable for prescribing

Minocycline is not recommended for use in acne as it is associated with an increased risk of drug-induced lupus, skin pigmentation and hepatitis.

Bibliography

Update history

  1. Full update and review. New sections added 'Required if treatment longer than 6 months' and 'Less suitable for prescribing'
  1. Republished
  1. Published