Photo-onycholysis from minocycline. Side effects of minocycline therapy

Abstract

Minocycline, prescribed for a patient with acne, produced a photosensitivity reaction (photo-onycholysis) involving the fingernails. The onset of this reaction coincided with an increase in sun exposure and cleared several months later, when the drug was discontinued. This type of reaction has been reported to occur in patients taking tetracycline or a member of the tetracycline group of antibiotics, of which minocycline is a member. This appears to be first report of photo-onycholysis due to minocycline.