Tetracycline

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (tet ra sye' kleen)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Tetracycline, is used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; acne; infections of skin, genital and urinary systems; and the infection that causes stomach ulcers (Helicobacter pylori). It also may be used as an alternative to other medications for the treatment of Lyme disease and for the treatment and prevention of anthrax (after inhalational exposure). Tetracycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing the growth and spread of bacteria. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.


How should this medicine be used?

Tetracycline comes as a capsule and suspension (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken two to four times daily. Tetracycline should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals or snacks. Drink a full glass of water with each dose of tetracycline. Do not take tetracycline with food, especially dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tetracycline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking tetracycline,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, sulfites, or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take, especially antacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), and penicillin. Tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of some oral contraceptives; another method of birth control should be used while taking this drug.
  • be aware that antacids, calcium supplements, iron products, and laxatives containing magnesium interfere with tetracycline, making it less effective. Take tetracycline 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids (including sodium bicarbonate), calcium supplements, and laxatives containing magnesium. Take tetracycline 2 hours before or 3 hours after iron preparations and vitamin products that contain iron.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, allergies, asthma, hay fever, hives, or kidney or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tetracycline, call your doctor immediately. Tetracycline can harm the fetus.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tetracycline.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Tetracycline may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
  • you should know that when tetracycline is used during pregnancy or in babies or children up to age 8, it can cause the teeth to become permanently stained. Tetracycline should not be used in children under age 8 unless your doctor decides it is needed.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Tetracycline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhea
  • itching of the rectum or vagina
  • sore mouth
  • redness of the skin (sunburn)
  • changes in skin color
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
  • severe headache
  • blurred vision
  • skin rash
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • itching
  • dark-colored urine
  • light-colored bowel movements
  • loss of appetite
  • upset stomach
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • extreme tiredness or weakness
  • confusion
  • joint stiffness or swelling
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • decreased urination
  • pain or discomfort in the mouth
  • throat sores
  • fever or chills


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Tetracyclines
  • Antibiotics
  • Ophthalmologicals
  • Sensory Organs
  • Genito Urinary System and Sex Hormones
  • Antibacterials for Systemic Use
  • Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
  • Stomatological Preparations
  • Dermatologicals
  • Gynecological Antiinfectives and Antiseptics
  • Antiinfectives
  • Antibacterials for Intramammary Us
Prescribed Used to treat bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, tick fevers, Q fever, rickettsialpox and Brill-Zinsser disea...
Weight :444.4346
Structure Tetracycline
Generic Drug Tetracycline prescribed Used to treat bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, tick fevers, Q fever, rickettsialpox and Brill-Zinsser disea...
Formula

C22H24N2O8

Tetracycline has 70 Brands listed


Achromycin (250 mg)Acrocycline (250 mg)
Arcycline (250 mg)Arcycline (500 mg)
Broclin (250 mg)Cadicycline (250 mg)
Caten (250 mg)Cyclisun (250 mg)
Cyclisun (3 gm)Cypacycline (250 mg)
Dicicyclin (250 mg)Dicicyclin (500 mg)
Econocycline (250 mg)Econocycline (500 mg)
Hostacycline (250 mg)Hostacycline (500 mg)
Idilin (250 mg)Idilin (500 mg)
Ingacycline (250 mg)Linemett (333 mg)
Linemett (500 mg)Lupiterra (500 mg)
M Cycline (250 mg)M Cycline (500 mg)
Medocycline (250 mg)Medocycline (500 mg)
Neoline (250 mg)Quadric (250 mg)
Redicycline (250 mg)Resteclin (250 mg)
Resteclin (500 mg)Resteclin Tab (500 mg)
Subamycin (250 mg)Subamycin (500 mg)
Subamycin C (125 mg)Subamycin DT (50 mg)
T Top (333 mg)Terapal (250 mg)
Terapal (500 mg)Tetlin (250 mg)
Tetlin (500 mg)Tetlin (500 mg) (Suzikem)
Tetra (250 mg)Tetra A (250 mg)
Tetra A Forte (500 mg)Tetra Tos (500 mg)
Tetrabact (250 mg)Tetrabact (500 mg)
Tetracycline (250 mg)Tetracycline (250 mg) (Bini)
Tetracycline (250 mg) (Dabur)Tetracycline (250 mg) (Orison)
Tetracycline (250 mg) (Smith)Tetracycline (250 mg) (Wings)
Tetracycline (500 mg) (Acichem)Tetracycline (500 mg) (Bini)
Tetracycline (500 mg) (Modern)Tetracycline (500 mg) (Wings)
Tetracycline Hydrochloride (250 mg)Tetracycline Hydrochloride (500 mg)
Tetralab (250 mg)Tetralab (500 mg)
Tetralid (250 mg)Tetrastar (250 mg)
Tetrastar (500 mg)Tetrasym (250 mg)
Tetrasym (500 mg)Tetret (250 mg)
Threocycline (333 mg)Triolene (333 mg)

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