Treatment FAQ

how do you know if you are getting pseudotumor cerebri minocycline treatment

by Lucie Gaylord Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Minocycline treatment and pseudotumor cerebri syndrome Minocycline is a cause or precipitating factor in pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Although most patients have prominent symptoms and are diagnosed promptly, others are asymptomatic and may have optic disk edema for a long period of time before diagnosis.

Full Answer

How do I know if I have pseudotumor cerebri?

A doctor trained in eye conditions (ophthalmologist) may conduct an eye examination. If pseudotumor cerebri is suspected, your eye doctor will look for a distinctive type of swelling affecting the optic nerve, called papilledema, in the back of your eye.

Can minocycline cause pseudotumor cerebri syndrome?

Withdrawal of minocycline and treatment for inc … Minocycline is a cause or precipitating factor in pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Although most patients have prominent symptoms and are diagnosed promptly, others are asymptomatic and may have optic disk edema for a long period of time before diagnosis.

What are the treatment options for pseudotumor cerebri?

It is likely that your doctor's first line of treatment for pseudotumor cerebri will be to prescribe you medication. This class of medication, including acetazolamide and furosemide, can help reduce the pressure around your brain. In most cases, you will be prescribed between 500 and 1000 mg per day.

Can pseudotumor cerebri syndrome be missed in young women?

Because headaches are common in young women—and the headaches of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome may resemble migraines—the diagnosis may be missed initially if a careful history is not taken and the eyes are not carefully examined for swelling of the optic nerves.

Can minocycline cause pseudotumor cerebri?

Conclusion: Minocycline is a cause or precipitating factor in pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Although most patients have prominent symptoms and are diagnosed promptly, others are asymptomatic and may have optic disk edema for a long period of time before diagnosis.

How common is intracranial hypertension from minocycline?

The WHO adverse reactions database documents 188 cases of intracranial hypertension with minocycline, 31 with tetracycline and 27 with doxycycline. One review of 162 cases of medicine-related BIH found that 9% were linked to minocycline, 5.5% to tetracycline and 1.2% to isotretinoin.

Does minocycline cause intracranial hypertension?

Minocycline has been implicated in the development of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), resulting in a syndrome that meets the most recent diagnostic criteria1 for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

How long does it take to develop intracranial hypertension from doxycycline?

The symptoms of raised intracranial pressure began one and three months after starting doxycycline.

What does intracranial pressure feel like?

Classic signs of intracranial pressure include a headache and/or the feeling of increased pressure when lying down and relieved pressure when standing. 3 Nausea, vomiting, vision changes, changes in behavior, and seizures can also occur.

Do minocycline headaches go away?

High pressure in the brain It usually goes away after you stop taking minocycline (Minocin), but it can cause permanent vision problems. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you experience a headache and changes in your eyesight, including blurry vision, double vision, or vision loss.

What are the side effects of taking minocycline?

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dizziness, or a feeling of spinning may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Does minocycline give you headaches?

Commonly reported side effects of minocycline include: headache. Other side effects include: vulvovaginal candidiasis, diarrhea, dizziness, dysphagia, epigastric discomfort, melanoglossia, nausea and vomiting, sore throat, stomatitis, and anorexia.

Can minocycline cause blindness?

Pseudotumor cerebri is an acknowledged but unusual complication of oral minocycline use. Vision loss and papilledema have been described as mild and transient, and some authors suggest that treatment is not needed.

Can doxycycline cause pseudotumor cerebri?

Tetracyclines are a commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of acne vulgaris that are associated with pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). With doxycycline specifically, however, the incidence of PTC is very rare.

Does doxycycline cause IIH?

Despite the many controversies, intracranial hypertension due to use of doxycycline does occur. Practitioners prescribing the tetracyclic antibiotics should be aware of the syndrome of increased intracranial pressure, and pay particular attention to the ocular fundus for papilloedema.

Does doxycycline increase eye pressure?

Doxycycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties of doxycycline may reduce TM inflammation and contribute to IOP lowering.

Where does pseudotumor cerebri occur?

Headaches associated with this disorder may vary from person to person. Often, pseudotumor cerebri headaches often occur at the back of the head and start as a dull pain, which tends to be worse at night or first thing in the morning.

How many times more likely is pseudotumor cerebri in women than men?

Although experts don't know why this condition develops, here are other conditions that are commonly seen in people with the disorder: Female sex: Women are nine times more likely to have pseudotumor cerebri than men. The role of hormones is not understood.

What is PTC in medical terms?

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a problem caused by elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. Because this condition causes symptoms of elevated pressure in the head – which is also seen with large brain tumors – but have normal scans, the condition has been called pseudotumor cerebri, ...

What medications can cause pseudotumor cerebri?

Certain medications: Use of lithium, tetracyclines, certain steroids and vitamin A derivatives may predispose people to pseudotumor cerebri. Blood vessel irregularities: Some people are born with a narrowing of the vein that drains blood and CSF from the brain, resulting in increased pressure. Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is an increasingly common ...

What are the symptoms of a tinnitus?

Neck stiffness. Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Forgetfulness and/or depression. Since exertion can increase pressure inside the skull, symptoms can become worse with exercise or physical activity. Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms may resemble those of many other medical problems.

Can pseudotumor cerebri cause vision loss?

Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms include headache and blurred vision, which can increase over time. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of pseudotumor cerebri is important since it may lead to progressive (and possibly permanent) loss of vision.

How to treat pseudotumor cerebri?

Medicine and surgery are the main treatments for pseudotumor cerebri. They reduce the pressure in your skull. A few medicines are used to treat this condition: Acetazolamide ( Diamox) is a glaucoma drug that lowers the amount of cerebrospinal fluid your body makes.

What are the most common causes of pseudotumor cerebri?

Other conditions that can raise your risk include: Addison's disease. Anemia. Behcet's syndrome. Blood vessel or blood clotting problems. Lupus. Lyme disease.

Why does my pseudotumor hurt?

It's caused by increased pressure around the brain. It can be hard to tell a pseudotumor from a real tumor. So you should see your doctor to have your symptoms checked out. The symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri can get worse and hurt your vision. Getting treated quickly can help save your sight.

How does a surgeon drain fluid from the brain?

The surgeon inserts a long, thin tube called a shunt into your brain or spine to drain extra fluid. Optic nerve sheath fenestration. The surgeon makes a cut in the tissue around the optic nerve to allow fluid to drain. With treatment, the pressure in your brain will go down.

How to tell if your optic nerve is swollen?

The biggest clue is when your doctor looks at the optic nerve, using a tool called an ophthalmoscope, and seeing that it’s swollen. You might get one or more of these tests: Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). The doctor inserts a needle into your lower back and removes a small amount of fluid from around your spine.

What is the best way to check for blind spots in your eyes?

MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. It uses powerful magnets and radio waves to show increased pressure or abnormal growths in your brain. You'll also need regular vision tests. Your eye doctor will check whether you have any blind spots in your vision or swelling of the optic nerve in the back of your eye.

How do you know if you have a symtom?

Signs you might have this condition include: Headaches that start behind your eyes or in the back of your head. Blurry vision or double vision. A blackout in your vision that lasts for a few seconds at a time. Nausea, throwing up. Dizziness. Ringing in your ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat.

How to reduce the risk of pseudotumor cerebri?

Even in women who aren't obese, a moderate amount of weight gain can increase the risk. Losing extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight might help reduce your chances of developing this potentially sight-stealing disorder.

What does a doctor look for in a pseudotumor?

If pseudotumor cerebri is suspected, a doctor trained in eye conditions (ophthalmologist) will look for a distinctive type of swelling affecting the optic nerve in the back of your eye. You'll also undergo a visual field test to see if there are any blind spots in your vision besides your so-called normal blind spot in each eye where ...

What is the procedure to reduce intracranial pressure?

If your vision worsens, surgery to reduce the pressure around your optic nerve or to decrease the intracranial pressure might be necessary. Optic nerve sheath fenestration. In this procedure, a surgeon cuts a window into the membrane that surrounds the optic nerve to allow excess cerebrospinal fluid to escape.

What tests can be ordered for brain tumors?

Your doctor is likely to order an MRI or CT scan. These tests can rule out other problems that can cause similar symptoms, such as brain tumors and blood clots.

What are the side effects of glaucoma?

This medication might reduce the production of cerebrospinal fluid and reduce symptoms. Possible side effects include stomach upset, fatigue, tingling of fingers, toes and mouth, and kidney stones. Other diuretics.

What is pseudotumor cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome can sometimes be caused by medication use, such as excessive intake of vitamin A, tetracycline antibiotics, human growth hormone supplementation, or withdrawal from steroids. When no cause for pseudotumor cerebri is found, the condition is referred to as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

What doctor should I see for pseudotumor cerebri?

If diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri symptoms, be sure to have regular follow-up visits with a neurologist and an ophthalmologist or a neuro-ophthalmologist.

Why do we have a lumbar puncture?

Finally, a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) will show high pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid with normal spinal fluid contents. Because headaches are common in young women—and the headaches ...

Is pseudotumor cerebri a disease?

Pseudotumor cerebri without optic nerve swelling may be a different disease process than pseudotumor cerebri with optic nerve swelling. For example, patients who experience typical symptoms of the condition, such as chronic headaches, but without swelling of the optic nerves at the time of diagnosis frequently do not improve with ...

Can pseudotumor cerebri cause headaches?

Over 90 percent of patients with a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome have severe headaches that occur daily or near-daily. Some patients have prominent neck or back pain as well. Other common symptoms include episodes of visual loss in one or both eyes lasting several seconds and hearing one's pulse or a whooshing in the ear.

Does pseudotumor cerebri cause visual loss?

Most individuals with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome do improve, although a small percentage of patients may experience severe and irreversible visual loss. When visual loss occurs, it generally does so at the beginning of the illness.

What is the best treatment for pseudotumor cerebri?

Take a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. It is likely that your doctor's first line of treatment for pseudotumor cerebri will be to prescribe you medication. This class of medication, including acetazolamide and furosemide, can help reduce the pressure around your brain.[5] XResearch source.

How much corticosteroids should I take for pseudotumor cerebri?

If you have a serious case of pseudotumor cerebri, your doctor will likely prescribe you a high dose of 60 to 100 mg per day to reduce inflammation right away.[6] XResearch source. Your doctor will likely give you injections of corticosteroids, which helps the medication quickly enter your system.

Why is pseudotumor cerebri called pseudotumor cerebri?

Notice the symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri. Pseudotumor cerebri got its name because its symptoms mimic those created by actual brain tumors. The symptoms associated with this condition may include:[2]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source.

What is the name of the condition where the pressure in the fluid around the brain increases?

Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as intracranial hypertension, is a rare condition in which the pressure in the fluid around the brain increases. This pressure can create a variety of symptoms, including headaches and trouble seeing. The... Pseudotumor cerebri , also known as intracranial hypertension, is a rare condition in which the pressure in ...

What is pseudo cerebri?

The... Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as intracranial hypertension, is a rare condition in which the pressure in the fluid around the brain increases. This pressure can create a variety of symptoms, including headaches and trouble seeing.

How to verify a diagnosis?

Get a physical exam and testing done to verify a diagnosis. When you are at your doctor's office they will typically begin by asking your about your symptoms and giving you a physical exam. They will need to rule out a variety of possible causes for your symptoms before giving you a definitive diagnosis.

Can pseudotumor cerebri cause permanent vision loss?

If you notice the symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri, it is important to get this condition treated by a medical professional as soon as possible. If it goes untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss, in addition to painful and debilitating symptoms. Call your doctor and schedule an appointment to be seen as soon as possible.[3]

Diagnosis

Treatment

  • The goal of pseudotumor cerebri treatment is to improve your symptoms and keep your eyesight from worsening. If you're obese, your doctor might recommend a low-sodium weight-loss diet to help improve your symptoms. You might work with a dietitian to help with your weight-loss goals. Some people benefit from weight-loss programs or gastric surgery.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Clinical Trials

  • Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
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Lifestyle and Home Remedies

  • Obesity dramatically increases young women's risk of pseudotumor cerebri. Even in women who aren't obese, a moderate amount of weight gain can increase the risk. Losing extra pounds and maintaining a healthy weight might help reduce your chances of developing this potentially sight-stealing disorder.
See more on mayoclinic.org

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • After discussing your symptoms with your family doctor, he or she might refer you to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist) or eye conditions (ophthalmologist) or both (neuro-ophthalmologist) for further evaluation. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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