Category: Antibiotics

Drug Uses

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

How to use

Use Tetracycline as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

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 (eg, 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.

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.

Some medical conditions may interact with Tetracycline . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tetracycline . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
Acitretin or isotretinoin because side effects, such as increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain, may occur
Digoxin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Tetracycline Atovaquone, lithium, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins (eg, amoxicillin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by 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.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.