Dermatologists have used tetracyclines since the 1950s to treat disorders that do not necessarily have an infectious aetiology. Their anti-inflammatory and anti-collagenase properties contribute significantly to their success in treating diseases such as rosacea and acne. This article reviews the non-antibiotic properties of tetracyclines and their clinical application in dermatology.
Keywords: anti-inflammatory; dermatology; doxycycline minocycline; matrix metalloproteinase; non-antibiotic; tetracycline.
© 2013 The Authors. Australasian Journal of Dermatology © 2013 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.