Tetracycline
About
Tetracycline belongs to the 'antibiotics' class, primarily used to treat bacterial infections. Tetracycline is also used to treat sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, or chlamydia. Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly.
Tetracycline contains 'Tetracycline' a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It works by preventing the synthesis of bacterial proteins, which are the primary cursors for carrying out bacteria's vital functions. This process further inhibits bacterial growth.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of the course based on the severity of your disease. Like all medicines, Tetracycline also causes side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects of Tetracycline include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, mouth sores, black hairy tongue, sore throat, dizziness, headache, and rectal discomfort. If any of these effects persist or worsen, seek medical advice promptly.
Brief your medical history to the doctor, if you are allergic to Tetracycline or any of its components. It is advised to consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Tetracycline. Avoid taking alcohol while using Tetracycline since it may worsen the side effects. Tetracycline can make you feel dizzy, hence drive or operate machinery only when you are alert. Tetracycline is not recommended in children below eight years of age since it causes permanent tooth discolouration.
Uses of Tetracycline
Medicinal Benefits
Tetracycline contains 'Tetracycline,' a broad-spectrum antibiotic that treats bacterial infections. It works by preventing the synthesis of bacterial proteins, which are the primary cursors for carrying out bacteria's vital functions. Tetracycline effectively treats acne, pneumonia, bronchitis, whooping cough, conjunctivitis, Q fever or tick fever (bacterial infection caused by the bite of infected ticks), brucellosis (infection spread from animals), and psittacosis (infections spread from birds). It is also used to treat leptospirosis (an infection spread through the urine of animals), gas-gangrene (infection in injury or surgery wound), tetanus (bacterial infection affecting nerves), cholera, and sexually transmitted diseases, such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, or chlamydia. It also treats stomach ulcers when used in combination with other anti-ulcer drugs.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Tetracycline
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids (containing magnesium and aluminium), and laxatives may bind to Tetracycline in the gastrointestinal tract, lowering its absorption and efficiency. Hence maintain at least 2 hours between intake of Tetracycline and other medications. Please undergo an examination to rule out CDAD's chances if you experience diarrhoea following Tetracycline therapy. Please seek medical advice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Tetracycline. Tetracycline causes dizziness, hence drive or operate machinery only when you are alert. Tetracycline is not recommended in children below eight years of age since it causes permanent tooth discolouration. Prolonged use of tetracycline in children during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy, and childhood to the age of 8 years) may cause permanent discolouration of the teeth (yellow-grey-brown).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Tetracycline may interact with antibiotics (amoxicillin), anticoagulants (warfarin), pneumonia medicine (atovaquone), drugs treating skin diseases (acitretin, isotretinoin), heart-related medicines (digoxin), antacids, calcium and iron supplements, and laxatives.
Drug-Food Interaction: Do not take Tetracycline with milk or other dairy products. Take only when your doctor has told you to. Dairy products like milk can make it harder for your body to absorb Tetracycline.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before taking Tetracycline, let your doctor know if have any kidney or liver diseases, colitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the colon), oesophagus diseases like hiatal hernia (stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity), reflux disorder, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), difficulty chewing and swallowing, and slurred speech.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid taking alcohol while using Tetracycline since it may worsen the side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeTetracycline is not recommended during pregnancy due to its harmful effects on the baby, including toxic effects on skeletal formation. Please consult your doctor before taking Tetracycline if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionTetracycline is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Please consult your doctor before taking Tetracycline if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionYou may experience dizziness as one of the side effects of Tetracycline. In such cases, do not drive or operate machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Tetracycline.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases before taking Tetracycline.
Children
cautionTetracycline can cause permanent yellowing or grey colouring of the teeth in children younger than eight years old.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more fibre-enriched food in your diet, as it can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fibre foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains like whole-grain bread and brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Eating grapefruit during antibiotics treatment can prevent the body from utilizing Tetracycline properly. So, avoid intake of grapefruit or grapefruit juice with the antibiotic.
- Avoid taking too much calcium, iron-enriched foods and drinks as it might affect the working of Tetracycline.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Tetracycline as it can make you dehydrated and affect your sleep. This can make it more challenging for your body to aid the Tetracycline in fighting off infections.
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep.
- Do not walk barefoot at places like gym showers to prevent bacterial infections.
Special Advise
- Renal, hepatic, and blood function tests are advised during prolonged therapy to rule out any toxicity caused due to overdose of Tetracycline.
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is reported during usage of antibiotics like Tetracycline. Please see your doctor if you experience prolonged diarrhoea.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: It occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes illness. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria occur in three basic shapes: spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall). Some common symptoms of a bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
FAQs
The Tetracycline contains Tetracycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic effective against various bacteria, including gram-positive and gram-negative. It works by preventing the protein synthesis process required for the survival or growth of the bacteria. As a result, it prevents bacterial growth and stops the spread of the infection.
A Tetracycline should be used with proper caution and doctor consultation if you have any liver or kidney disease, gastrointestinal diseases (colitis, an inflammation of the colon), swallowing problems, and oesophagus diseases like hiatal hernia (stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest cavity), myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), and reflux.
Tetracycline can affect live vaccines like typhoid vaccine and decrease their effectiveness. Please consult a doctor before you start Tetracycline if you are undergoing any vaccinations.
Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, and laxatives since these products prevent the absorption of Tetracycline. It is also advised to avoid dairy products like milk, yoghurt, and calcium-enriched juice.
Tetracycline may induce photosensitivity and makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. Hence it is advised to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing while using Tetracycline. It is also recommended to avoid tanning booths and sunlamps.
It is best to not eat food for at least 2 hours after taking Tetracycline. Consuming food may decrease the absorption of Tetracycline. However, if you notice any upset stomach while using this medication, you can take Tetracycline with food. But avoiding milk and milk products will help.
