How does it work?

Minocycline is commonly used to treat bacterial infections including acne, respiratory and urinary tract infections. Minocycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. Recent studies have demonstrated it has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in preventing the inflammation which causes damage in the brain and spinal cord in people with MS.  

How is it administered?

Minocycline is taken as a tablet twice daily 

To what type of MS is it targeted?

People who have experienced a first attack of MS symptoms 

Most recent trial details

Early studies have shown an 84 per cent reduction in MS lesion activity on brain MRI, suggesting this treatment may have the potential to slow the condition down significantly. It is hoped that effective early treatment with minocycline might delay the timeframe in which other treatments would be required and it may prove to be useful in combination with other approved therapies.  

Current situation

A phase III trial is due to start in Canada in 2008 involving 200 people. The goal of the study is to test the effectiveness of minocycline at delaying the time from the first attack of MS symptoms to clinically definite MS (based on a second relapse or specific changes on MRI brain scans). (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00666887)

There is also a phase II trial currently ongoing assessing the benefits of minocycline in combination with beta interferon (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00381459).
 

Side effects

Common side effects in people treated with minocycline include diarrhea, dizziness or lightheadedness, grey discoloration of the skin or tissue in the mouth including the teeth, sun sensitivity, secondary infection due to fungi which can cause itching of the rectum or vagina.