Minocycline induced organising pneumonia resolving without recourse to corticosteroids

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic used for the treatment of acne. Minocycline has been associated with a variety of pulmonary adverse effects, most notably organising pneumonia and pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia. Most cases of minocycline induced pneumonitis have required the cessation of minocycline coupled with the use of corticosteroids to effect a clinical cure. We present the case of a 21-year old woman who presented with a 2-month pneumonic illness who had been taking minocycline 100mg per day for the previous 12 months for acne vulgaris. Radiology revealed multifocal consolidation with lung biopsy confirming organising pneumonia. Extensive investigation failed to reveal an alternative cause and minocycline cessation resulted in a complete radiological and clinical resolution within 6 weeks without recourse to corticosteroids. No signs of recurrence were present at follow up over an 8 month period.