Minocycline and STDs

[Hp122487]

Hi Doctor,

I have asked a question along a similar vein before. I asked a few months ago about possible rectal STD exposure. The question I posed was should I be overly concerned about getting rectally tested for STDs if I have had only one instance of rectal exposure vs many instances of genital exposure (all with the same person, obviously). The expert in this forum told me practically, since I had been tested negative at the genital site, the risk from rectal was low since it was all with the same person.

My question now is this, just to completely put my mind at ease: I have been on Minocycline for acne for well over a year. Usually I take 50mg twice a day, although for the last month have been on 75mg twice a day. If by some freak chance I had rectally contracted Gonorrhea or Chlamydia, would this antibiotic take care of it?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Minocycline is less effective for gonorrhea than for chlamydial infection but the same general principle holds.  EWH

[Hp122487]

Thank you, and does the same go for gonorrhea?

And you are very correct I need to stop worrying. Unfortunately for me, it is easier said than done.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'm sorry you are continuing to worry about the possibility of infection.  The minocycline you are taking for acne would have reduced your risk for infection if you were taking it at the time of exposure.  

As far as treatment is concerned, minocycline can cure chlamydia but the dose you are taking is a bit lower than what might be recommended for chlamydial infection.  Nonetheless, if you were infected and tool the drug for a month as you have, I would expect it to cure chlamydia.

i really think you need to stop worrying about this.  EWH