WHY USE ANTIBIOTICS TO TREAT RHEUMATIC DISEASE?
A growing body of scientific evidence based on laboratory research and a significant number of clinical trials have shown that appropriate application of antibiotic therapy can have a profound effect on the course of rheumatic disease. In such leading journals as Lancet, Annals of Internal Medicine, Arthritis & Rheumatism, Rheumatology and others, antibiotics have repeatedly been proven efficacious in clinical investigations. However, because the patents have expired on the antibiotics used in these trials, there is no financial incentive to promote or explore their future use. What Scientific and Clinical Evidence Exists? The first study using minocycline for rheumatoid arthritis, called the NIH “MIRA” study, was completed in April 1993, and the results were reported in the Jan. 15, 1995 issue of The Annals of Medicine. The study reported that minocycline is a safe and effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. Additional studies have been conducted also using minocycline.* These i
