Tetracycline tablets

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > T



How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient tetracycline hydrochloride, which belongs to a group of antibiotics called the tetracyclines. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Tetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Tetracycline therefore stops the spread of the infection and the remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die. Tetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria. However, some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to this antibiotic, which has reduced its effectiveness for treating some types of infection. Tetracycline is still used to treat infections caused by chlamydia (eg the chest infection psittacosis, the eye infection trachoma, and the genital infection urethritis) and infections caused by mycoplasma organisms (eg pneumonia). Tetracycline is used to treat acne, due to its activity against the bacteria on the skin that cause acne (Propionebacterium acnes). It is used to treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, due to its activity against the bacteria usually responsible, Haemophilus influenzae. Tetracycline is also used to treat other rarer infections, such as those caused by a group of micro-organisms called rickettsiae (eg Q fever, Rocky mountain spotted fever) and those caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis). To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to tetracycline your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the infected area, or a urine or blood sample.

What is it used for?

- Acne vulgaris
- Chlamydia infections
- Chronic bronchitis
- Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
- Infection caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis)
- Infections caused by Mycoplasma organisms
- Infections caused by Rickettsiae micro-organisms transmitted by lice, fleas, ticks and mites

Warning!

- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause diarrhoea. If you experience diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after taking this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.
- In some people this medicine can cause the skin to become more sensitive to sunlight and UV light. For this reason you should avoid excessive exposure to strong sunlight, and avoid using sunbeds and sunlamps while you are taking this medicine.
- This medicine should be swallowed whole with plenty of water while you are sitting or standing. This is to prevent the medicine irritating the throat. Avoid taking a dose just before going to bed.
- Consult your doctor if you get a severe persistant headache, or double or blurred vision while taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function

Not to be used in

- Breastfeeding
- Children under 12 years of age
- Long-term inflammation of skin and some internal organs (systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Moderate to severely decreased kidney function
- Pregnancy

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy as it may be harmful to the unborn baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Discuss this with your doctor.

Label warnings

- Do not take iron preparations, milk or indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.
- Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.
- Take this medication an hour before food or on an empty stomach.

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use © Copyright 1998 - 2009 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved