Minocycline-associated tooth staining

Abstract

Objective: To describe a case of tooth discoloration in an adult after minocycline treatment for arthritis.

Case summary: A 68-year-old white women presented with blue-black staining of her lower anterior teeth after 4 months of minocycline therapy for arthritis. Her other medications are not known to cause discoloration of teeth. While the patient continued taking minocycline, her dentist was not able to remove the discoloration. Within 1 month after discontinuation of the minocycline, the dentist was able to remove the discoloration entirely.

Discussion: Minocycline, a synthetic derivative of tetracycline, has been shown to cause abnormal pigmentation of the skin, thyroid gland, nails, bone, sclera, and conjunctiva in adults. It also has been shown to cause tooth discoloration in a few patients. This case is unusual in that the tooth discoloration disappeared after discontinuing minocycline therapy.

Conclusions: This complication of minocycline is more commonly thought of in the pediatric population. However, clinicians need to be aware of this adverse drug reaction, as this agent may be used increasingly in the treatment of adults with arthritis.