Between 1993 and 1996, Eisen examined the mouths of 331 patients who had taken high-dose minocycline for at least six months.

After one year, 33 (10%) of the patients had developed blue bone-discoloration and the proportion increased to 20% after four years. This blue color is permanent in most patients, and in some can be seen through the gums when the patient smiles.

This "blue smile" syndrome is just the latest of numerous reports of serious side effects from the popular acne treatment. In fact, for years medical researchers have suggested possible links between minocycline and liver disease, hepatitis, lupus, and incidents of auto-immune disease.

"Reactions can be severe, so their recognition at an early stage may be important not only to aid recovery but also to avoid invasive investigations such as liver biopsy," researchers stated last year in the British Medical Journal.

"In view of the severity of some reactions, including two deaths and one liver transplant, the use of minocycline for acne should be considered carefully," they added.

Despite these and similar warnings -- as well as dire predictions about the dangers of over-prescribing antibiotics in general -- many medical doctors still routinely prescribe the antibiotic to their young patients.

SOURCES: "Minocycline induced autoimmune hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome." British Medical Journal, Jan. 20, 1996.

"Minocycline-induced Autoimmune Disease," Medical Science Bulletin, April 1996.

"Acne sufferers to sue firm over 'debilitating' drug." The (London) Sunday Times, August 11, 1996.

"Minocycline induced arthritis associated with fever..." Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Oct. 1996.

Lancet , February 8, 1997.

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Side effects: (Pretty major) Aching, inflamed joints, anal or genital sores with fungus infection, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction), anemia, appetite loss, blurry vision, bulging of soft spots in infants' heads,
decreased hearing, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, discoloration of children's teeth, fever, fluid retention, headache, hepatitis, hives, inflammation of the penis, inflammation of the intestines,
inflammation of the tongue, joint pain, liver failure, nausea, rash, sensitivity to light, skin coloration, skin eruptions, skin inflammation and peeling, throat irritation, thyroid gland problems, vomiting

[ August 26, 2001: Message edited by: Wiseguy ]

George was given a tetracycline as a kid and has stained teeth now.

Sharon was on Minocycline for almost 7 years, mostly during her teens and it had a slightly greying effect on the teeth. Whitening toothpaste and hygiene did not help.
When her wisdom teeth were pulled, she saw they were completely black.

Mar-08-01 from AbsoluteAcne
The Minocycline also left gray spots on her face which disappeared as she got off the Minocycline.

This person had just began with Minocycline and noticed that lights are unusually more bright, had dark circles under his/her eyes and sometimes got a blurry vision.