Minocycline for the Prevention of Post-operative Intercostal Neuralgia

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female * Aged 18 years or older * Undertaking elective, open thoracotomy with ample time pre-operatively to provide informed consent and undertake dosing * Sufficient fluency in English language to read and understand consent form, fulfil study requirements and communicate with research staff * Negative pregnancy test at screening for women of child bearing potential * Females of child bearing potential must agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception other than oral contraceptives from time of first dosing until one week post-operatively. Acceptable methods include abstinence, contraceptive patches, NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol vaginal ring), diaphragm with vaginal spermicide, intrauterine device, condom and vaginal spermicide, progestin implant or injection * Avoid prolonged, direct sunlight or ultra-violet light exposure during dosing period * Refrain from strenuous activities and avoid changes to regular exercise patterns throughout trial period Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant or breast feeding * Known allergy to minocycline and other tetracycline antibiotics * Pre-existing neuralgic pain condition in area designated for operation * Physical abnormality in area designated for operation * Taking disallowed concomitant medication * Renal insufficiency as determined by a calculated creatinine clearance of \< 60mL/min * Hepatic dysfunction as determined by alanine transaminase and/or aspartate transaminase in excess of three times upper normal limits * Diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus * Recent diagnosis of enterocolitis or colitis * Participation in another trial of an investigational product within 30 days of commencing dosing or are scheduled to commence trial of an investigational product during study period * Patients who, in an Investigator's opinion, should not participate in the trial or may not be capable of following the trial schedule for any reason * History of major psychiatric disorder not medically controlled