Minocycline hyperpigmentation: skin, tooth, nail, and bone involvement

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic commonly prescribed for acne vulgaris.
• Antibiotic-induced pigmentation is a known, though uncommon, side effect.

Observation:

• A patient undergoing minocycline therapy for acne presented with noticeable pigmentation.
• The pigmentation affected the bone, tooth, nail, and sclera.

Findings:

• Hyperpigmentation was evident in pre-existing scar tissue.
• Newly formed scar tissue from recent surgeries did not exhibit this pigmentation.

Implications:

• This suggests minocycline-induced pigmentation may be influenced by tissue age and healing status.
• Further investigation is warranted to understand the mechanism and clinical significance of this phenomenon.