Tetracycline is a "broad-spectrum" antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, and tick fevers. Tetracycline is also used to treat upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, amoebic infections, and urinary tract infections. Tetracycline is often used as an alternative drug for people who are allergic to penicillin.

Tetracycline Directions

Tetracycline should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Be sure to use the entire prescription. Do not use outdated tetracycline, as it is highly toxic to the kidneys. Do not take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium (e.g., Mylanta, Maalox) while taking this medication. They will affect the absorption of the drug. Take tetracycline 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Foods, milk, and some other dairy products affect absorption of the tetracycline. Tetracycline should be continued for at least 24 to 48 hours after your symptoms have subsided.

Tetracycline Side Effects

More common side effects of tetracycline may include: Anemia, blood disorders, blurred vision and headache (in adults), bulging soft spot on the head (in infants), diarrhea, difficult or painful swallowing, dizziness, extreme allergic reactions, genital or anal sores or rash, hives, inflammation of large bowel, inflammation of the tongue, inflammation of the upper digestive tract, increased sensitivity to light, loss of appetite, nausea, rash, ringing in the ears, swelling due to fluid accumulation, vision disturbance, and vomiting. Less common or rare side effects may include: Inflamed skin, inflammation of the penis, liver poisoning, muscle weakness, peeling, skin eruptions, and throat sores and inflammation.

Tetracycline Precautions

Do not take tetracycline if you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to any tetracycline medication. If you have kidney disease, make sure the doctor knows about it, as a lower than usual dose of tetracycline may be needed. Tetracycline drugs can make you more prone to sunburn when you are in sunlight or ultraviolet light. Take appropriate precautions. As with other antibiotics, use of this medication may cause other infections to develop. Contact your doctor if this occurs. Tetracycline is not recommended for use during pregnancy, as it can affect the development of the unborn child's bones and teeth. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Tetracycline appears in breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.

Missed Dose of Tetracycline

If you miss a dose of tetracycline, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose and you take tetracycline once a day (e.g., for acne), take the dose you missed, and then take the next one 10 to 12 hours later; if you take it twice a day, take the dose you missed, and then take the next one 5 to 6 hours later; if you take 3 or more doses a day, take the one you missed, and then take the next one 2 to 4 hours later. Then resume your regular schedule.

Tetracycline - What a Breakthrough for Medicine

Tetracycline was discovered in 1950s, being one of the major breakthroughs of the pharmaceutical industry. Treating bacterial infections caused by gram positive and negative bacteria, with additional effect on protozoa, tetracycline was quickly adopted in hospitals, medical centers and doctor practices. Today, it still represents a popular choice for the treatment of bacterial infections, being a broad-spectrum antibiotic.

Acne was one of the first medical conditions to be treated with tetracycline and the results were positive. The antibiotic became also widely used by dentists for diverse procedures. As for the way tetracycline acts, we know that it inhibits the activity of a certain type of ribosome. Recent studies have shown that bacteria can develop resistance against tetracycline, if the treatment is followed for a long period of time or excessive doses are taken.

Tetracycline is not recommended to be taken by children, as it can have serious consequences on their teeth. That contraindication is also valid for pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding. The antibiotic is inactivated by products containing calcium; thus you must not consume milk, cheese or other dairy products while being given tetracycline. Patient controlled studies have demonstrated that antibiotics pertaining to the tetracycline group are also inactivated by products containing metals (aluminum, magnesium, zinc or iron). Such products include dyspepsia medication or antacids. Also, the antibiotic interacts with medications that are meant to lower your cholesterol levels and drugs containing bismuth (Pepto Bismol). Tetracycline can cause skin sensitivity and you will have to take good care of your skin while following the treatment. Do not expose yourself to direct sunlight for increased periods of time; you can suffer from skin rash or even sunburns.

If you have been diagnosed with liver disease (hepatitis) or diverse skin conditions (lupus, for example), you should know that tetracycline can increase their severity and cause undesired side-effect. At the same time, you ought to be aware that this antibiotic can produce tinnitus, a ringing or booming sensation in the ear. If your doctor has prescribed tetracycline as a treatment for acne vulgaris, then you have probably been informed about the potential risk of your skin becoming dry. Be careful when you take tetracycline and methotrexate at the same time, as they can reduce each others effect.

Tetracycline has the following indications:

• Acne vulgaris, acne rosacea;
• Respiratory infections - pneumonia;
• Skin infections;
• Infections of the genitourinary tract;
• Treatment of ulcers caused by bacterial infections (Helicobacter pylori);
• Lyme disease - alternative treatment solution;
• Treatment and prophylaxis of anthrax.

Some studies have shown tetracycline to be absorbed by the bone, thus being used as a distinguishing marker for bone growth when diagnostic tests (biopsies) are performed.

Tetracycline is available as capsules or oral suspension, recommended to be taken two to four times a day. The medication can be taken on an empty stomach, at least one hour before the meal or two hours after the meal. Ideally, each dose of tetracycline should be taken with a full glass of water. Never take tetracycline with dairy products as the active ingredients will be soon inactivated. The best thing for you to do is to read your prescription label with care, asking your doctor for clarifications. As for the oral suspension, you are advised to shake the bottle well before each use, in order for the active ingredients in the medication to be mixed the right way.

For adults, the recommended dosage for bacterial and protozoa infections ranges from 250 to 500 mg, taken every six hours. Another treatment plan refers to a dose of 500 mg - 1 g of tetracycline, every twelve hours. In case you are suffering from venereal disease (gonorrhea), you will be starting your treatment with an initial dose of 1.5 g, reduced in the following days to 500 mg, every four hours. The treatment should be followed for six days. Tetracycline is also available for children that are over 8 years old, the dosage being set according to their body weight. For them, the dosage indicated varies between 6.25 and 12.5/kg, every six hours.

Before you decide to take tetracycline, you should contact your doctor and ask for a consult. Tell him/her if you suffer from any allergies and especially to antibiotics. Mention all the medication you are taking, including vitamins, herbal products and dietary supplements as well. Be sure to name specifically medication such as antacids, blood thinners or penicillin, as these drugs can interfere with tetracycline. Also, you should know that tetracycline decreases the level of protection offered by oral contraceptives. If you are taking any calcium supplements or iron products, you ought to be aware that they will not be as efficient when associated with tetracycline. Certain precautions must be adopted in case you are suffering from diabetes, respiratory disease (asthma included) or kidney failure. Before undergoing any surgical intervention, you will have to contact your doctor and ask about potential risks, discontinuing or delaying of the treatment with tetracycline.

Tetracycline is likely to cause the following side effects: indigestion, diarrhea or sunburn. Rarely, patients treated with tetracycline experience headaches, blurred vision, skin rash or difficult breathing. Laboratory tests might show a dark coloration of the urine and in more severe cases joint swelling, confusion and frissons might appear. The doctor will perform constant lab tests in order to assess your response to the treatment but also to detect signs of adverse reactions.

You are advised to throw away the medication you do not use, particularly if it has expired. As a general rule, you should never take medication after the expiration date and that is also valid for tetracycline. The most important thing to remember is that expired tetracycline can hurt your kidneys extremely, presenting life-threatening consequences