A TOP doctor today urged worried acne sufferers not to panic after it was revealed that a popular antibiotic can cause deadly side-effects.

A team of specialists have claimed that the anti-acne drug minocycline can lead to arthritis and hepatitis.

Two women in their 20s are understood to have died from complications thought to have been triggered by the drug. But Dr Ian Coulson, consultant dermatologist at Burnley General Hospital, said acne sufferers in East Lancashire should continue taking the drug if they were having no problems.

He said: "Minocycline is an excellent drug for acne.

"The instances of people suffering side-effects are very low. People should not stop taking the drug.

"But if they do experience symptoms, such as stiff or swollen joints or breathlessness, then they should stop for the time being, and discuss the symptoms with their GP. "I have prescribed minocycline to hundreds of people and side-effects are relatively rare."

The research team, led by a Leeds-based professor, have urged GPs to warn their patients about the possible side-effects and give them regular blood tests to monitor their health.

Minocycline, taken in capsule or tablet form, has been prescribed for 24 years and more than 800,000 prescriptions were written by doctors across the UK last year.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.