Minocycline 100mg modified release, an antibiotic often used to treat acne, is currently being affected by supply problems according to the manufacturer.
Tetracycline or oxytetracycline are recommended as first line in the BNF with minocycline or doxycycline suggested as suitable alternatives.
Generic products may still be freely available however oral antibiotic use for acne is a balance between benefits and harms and this product shortage may provide the opportunity to review continued treatment.
Action: Clinicians may wish to take advantage of this supply shortage to review oral antibiotic prescribing in patients with acne.