Minocycline for schizophrenia: A brief overview

BACKGROUND: The tetracyclic antibiotic minocycline appears to have positive results when added to the the treatment prescribed for persistent symptoms of schizophrenia. AIM: To provide an overview of the literature on minocycline and schizophrenia. METHOD: PubMed, up to September 2013, was scanned for articles relating to minocycline and schizophrenia. RESULTS: We found seven case reports with regard to the use of minocycline as an additive in the treatment of persistent schizophrenia. Furthermore, an open-label study and two randomised placebo-controlled studies regarding this addition were published. Using minocycline may add to the improvement of negative symptoms and cognition in patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION: It is concluded, albeit somewhat cautiously, that minocycline may be helpful in treating negative and cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia.

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