If anything, minocycline may be a reasonable alternative for treating patients with a benign prognosis. Conclusion Antibiotics are clearly indicated for the treatment of defined musculoskeletal infections and of reactive arthritis secondary to known causal pathogens that are still recoverable. Physicians need to familiarize themselves with the defined toxicity profile of the tetracyclines before prescribing them to patients with rheumatoid arthritis. References O'Dell JR, Haire CE, Palmer W, et al. Inhibition of enzymatic activity of phospholipases A2 by minocycline and doxycycline.
Tetracyclines are potent scavengers of the superoxide radical.
McNamara TF, et al. The effect of antibiotics on the destruction of cartilage in experimental infectious arthritis. Mechanisms of tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. Tetracyclines inhibit human synovial collagenase in vivo and in vitro. Bank I, Zemer D, et al.