Vestibular reactions associated with minocycline

Abstract

Several recent reports have indicated that minocycline, a drug effective for meningococcal disease prophylaxis, is associated with a high incidence of vestibular side effects. In January 1975, a questionnaire on adverse reactions was completed by all 29 staff members of a North Georgia hospital who had taken minocycline at the recommended dosage after exposure to a suspected meningococcal meningitis case and by 25 age, sex, and occupation matched nontreated controls. In the treated group 86% experienced moderate to severe vestibular symptoms; 84% of the symptomatic persons experienced their onset after one or two doses of 100 mg. 52% of the treated staff members stopped taking the medication because of these effects. The symptoms resolved within 48 hr after affected persons discontinued the medication. Until the safety of minocycline can be reestablished, rifampin is recommended for meningococcal disease prophylaxis, and alternative drugs are encouraged for other indications.