SKIN PIGMENTATION DUE TO MINOCYCLINE TREATMENT OF FACIAL DERMATOSES

Fifty-four patients taking minocycline for acne or rosacea, were asses sed for adverse effects. Their mean duration of treatment was 17 month s, and their average cumulative dose was 47 g. No symptoms attributabl e to the therapy were reported. Biochemistry and haematology profiles were normal. There was no evidence of an adverse effect on thyroid fun ction. Skin pigmentation was detected in eight patients (14.8%). Five patients had diffuse facial pigmentation, and three patients had local ized pigmentation at the site of a scar or injury. Diffuse pigmentatio n occurred only in patients who had been on treatment for 3 years or m ore; 50% of such patients were affected. Age and solar damage may also have been factors in this type of pigmentation. Localized pigmentatio n occurred at sites of previous tissue damage, and was not directly re lated to the duration of therapy. Patients who receive long-term minoc ycline therapy should be regularly monitored for the development of pi gmentation.