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Tetracycline
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Description
Tetracycline is an antibiotic which is used in the treatment of infections in the lungs, reproductive organs, and cholera. This medicine may cause teeth discoloration in the children. It may increase the risk of sunburns when exposed to the sunlight.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tetracycline
Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
Abdominal pain
Headache
Loss of appetite
Diarrhea
Itching of the rectal or genital areas
Mouth ulcers
Uses of Tetracycline
What is it prescribed for?
Cholera
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of cholera which is an infection of the intestine caused by Vibrio cholerae.
Chlamydia Infection
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
Brucellosis
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of Brucellosis which is a bacterial infection that spreads from animals caused by Brucella bacteria.
Bronchitis
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of bronchitis which is an inflammation in lungs caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and some Mycoplasma Pneumonia.
Rickettsial Infection
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of Rickettsial infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever and the typhus group, Q fever, rickettsial pox, and tick fevers caused by Rickettsiae.
Pneumonia
Tetracycline is used in the treatment of Pneumonia which is a most common type of lung infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 2 to 4 hoursDuration of effect
The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 1 to 2 days.Safe with alcohol?
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.Is it habit forming?
No habit forming tendency have been reported.Usage in pregnancy?
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.Usage while breast-feeding?
This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.
Allergy
Not recommended in the patients allergic to Tetracycline.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended in breastfeeding women.
General warnings
Photosensitivity
This medicine may increase the risk of sunburn reaction. Patients should be counseled about these reactions and advised to discontinue the treatment if any symptoms of skin rash appear.
Impaired liver function
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with the liver injury. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary. Discontinue the treatment if the symptoms persist.
Drug-resistance
Usage of Tetracycline without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that is drug resistant.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended in children less than 8 years due to the risk of permanent teeth discoloration.
Missed Dose
The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Warfarin
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cholera Vaccine
Digoxin
Calcium gluconate
Disease interactions
Colitis
Avoid if you experience severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and blood in stools after taking Tetracycline. Inform the doctor if you are suffering from any gastrointestinal diseases. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent dehydration.
Food interactions
This medicine is not recommended to take with iron and calcium preparations due to the decrease in the absorption. The minimum time gap of 3 hours should be maintained for a better absorption.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Tetracycline as instructed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised. Drink adequate amount of water to prevent the irritation in the intestine. Do not take with calcium-containing products because of the decrease in the absorption.Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting the doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by inhibiting the growth of bacteria by interrupting the protein synthesis.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Tetracyclines
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 20 April 2017]. Available from:
Tetracycline: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 20 April 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - tetracycline hydrochloride capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 20 April 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 20 April 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 20 April 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.