Tetracycline and Minocycline Treatment

Abstract

• The effect of 1,000 mg of tetracycline hydrochloride and 200 mg of minocycline hydrochloride onPropionibacteriumacnes levels and skin-surface lipid levels was measured in 15 patients with acne. Minocycline produced a significantly greater reduction in thePacnes counts that persisted even up to three weeks after discontinuation of the minocycline therapy, in contrast to the return ofPacnes to baseline counts within three weeks after discontinuation of the tetracycline therapy. A similar persistence of effect for reduction of skin-surface free fatty acid levels and clinical lesions was also seen with minocycline therapy. (Arch Dermatol1982;118:19-22)