There has been a lot of publicity lately about Oracea, which is a low dosage, sustained release 40mg form of doxycyline. Oracea was born out of the expiration of the patent on periostat – a twice a day  20mg dose of doxycycline originally targetted at gum disease.

Another new low dose antiobiotic is Solodyn (45mg, 90mg and 135mg of extended release minocycline HCL, dose is based on your weight).

This paper (sadly only available in Polish) highlights the fact that one more tetracycline – oxytetracycline is joining the ranks of proven low dose antibiotics. A normal dose of oxytetracycline is 250-500mg four times a day.

Oxytetracycline–mechanism of action and application in skin diseases, Wiad Lek. 2006;59(11-12):829-33, Olszewska M.

Oxytetracycline is a bacteriostatic antibiotic. Newly discovered, additional mechanisms of action include antioxidant, antiinflammatory and immynosupresive activity of oxytetracycline and other tetracyclines. These activities were the basis for developing therapy regimens with oxytetracycline in subantimicrobial doses. Due to its significant efficacy, limited adverse effects and low therapy costs, oxytetracycline at the dose of 500 mg per day is presently considered as therapy of choice in papulopustulous acne. Rosacea and perioral dermatitis are other indications. Topical oxytetracycline shows significant efficacy in primary and secondary skin infections with inflammatory reaction.

Further Reading ;

• Tetracyclines: their non-antibiotic properties
• how do tetracyclines help rosacea ?
• Periostat (doxycycline) goes generic, get ready for Oracea
• low dose doxycycline hyclate (SDD)
• Subantimicrobial Dose Doxycycline for Acne and Rosacea
• focus on macrolides (biaxin, zithromax, dynabac, rulid, surlid)
• preventing antibiotic resistance
• incyclinide targets conditions other than rosacea