Christine asked
I just came down with bursitis in the elbow. There is a bit pink and a little warmth- no fever, nausea. Went to urgent care. Doctor told me no big deal, but gave me a script for minocycline to take if it gets worse.Got prescription filled and realized some of the side effects include possible cranial hypertension that could lead to permanent blindness. Scary! Can I take amoxicillin instead since it also a bacterial antibiotic?
Answer
No, in most cases, you cannot take amoxicillin for bursitis infections.
In more than 80% bursitis infections, the offending bacteria is the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and other gram-positive organisms. Though amoxicillin is able to cover a few gram-positive organisms, most S. aureus bacteria are resistant to it.
Minocycline, on the other hand, covers a wide range of gram-positive organisms, including S. aureus, which makes it appropriate for your bursitis infection.
Minocycline
Minocycline exerts its effects by inhibiting the replication of bacteria cells, it is used to cover a number of different bacteria, mainly gram-positive bacteria.
Benign intracranial hypertension is a possible side effect of this medication, but it typically resolves once treatment is stopped.
Overweight women of child-bearing age are at the greatest risk of developing intracranial hypertension; this side effect has occurred in less than 1% of the patients who take minocycline. If you do experience vision changes during treatment, you should seek prompt medical attention.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin kills bacteria by halting cell wall development. It is used to treat a few gram-positive bacterial infections, most notably strep infections, and is mainly used in uncomplicated pneumonia and sinus infections.
Amoxicillin is not recommended to treat bursitis because it does not work well against the most common bacteria found in bursitis infections (S. aureus).
Summary
- Minocycline is an appropriate treatment for a mild bursitis infection because it kills S. aureus, the most common bacterial pathogen in a bursitis infection, where amoxicillin is not able to.
- The likelihood of developing intracranial hypertension with minocycline is small and it typically resolves after stopping the antibiotic.
- If you are still concerned about intracranial hypertension, you can ask your physician to prescribe a different antibiotic that will cover S. aureus bacteria.
