Drug Name

Tetracycline

Drug Uses

Tetracycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others.

How Taken

Use Tetracycline as directed by your doctor.

• Take Tetracycline by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Take Tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Tetracycline.
• If you also take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; preparations containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium rich foods (e.g., milk, dairy products, calcium-enriched juices), do not take them within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Tetracycline. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tetracycline.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Tetracycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms to destroy them.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Tetracycline and are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Tetracycline between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tetracycline out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Tetracycline if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tetracycline or other tetracycline antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline);
• you are taking acitretin or methoxyflurane.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Important :

• Tetracycline may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tetracycline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Be sure to use Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Tetracycline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tetracycline. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the kidneys.
• Long-term or repeated use of Tetracycline may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (e.g., birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Tetracycline . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (e.g., condoms).
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Tetracycline. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use of Tetracycline in children may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.
• Tetracycline should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 8 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Tetracycline has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tetracycline while you are pregnant. Tetracycline is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tetracycline.

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• black hairy tongue; blurred vision; bulky loose stools; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; fever; headache; hives; hoarseness; indigestion; inflammation or redness of tongue; joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; nausea; rash; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling and itching of the rectum.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); infection (fever, chills, sore throat); itching; nausea; severe skin reaction to the sun; vaginal irritation or discharge; vomiting.

More Information

If you have any questions about Tetracycline, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Tetracycline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.