minocycline + rifampin + chlorhexidine

Minocycline + rifampin + chlorhexidine (MRC) is an antimicrobial combination used as a coating for medical devices, primarily central venous catheters (CVCs), peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), and intravenous (IV) connectors. The combination consists of minocycline (a tetracycline antibiotic that inhibits the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit), rifampin (a rifamycin antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA-directed RNA polymerase), and chlorhexidine (a cationic antiseptic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes). This triple-action coating is designed to provide broad-spectrum, sustained antimicrobial activity to prevent microbial colonization, biofilm formation, and central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Originally developed by researchers at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and licensed via Novel Anti-Infective Technologies, the technology was commercialized by Cook Medical (as the Cook Spectrum 2 MRC CVC) and subsequently acquired by Spectrum Vascular, which received FDA clearance for the SV Spectrum MRC CVC.

Brand names

Cook Spectrum 2 MRCSV Spectrum MRC

Other names

chlorhexidine + minocycline + rifampinminocycline + rifampicin + chlorhexidineminocycline-rifampin-chlorhexidineMRC CVCMRCH CVC