Tetracycline: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Tetracycline?

What is tetracycline for?

Tetracycline is a drug with a function to treat a variety of infections, including acne. Tetracycline is classified as an antibiotic that works to stop bacterial growth.

Antibiotics will not affect viral infections such as fever and influenza. Taking unnecessary antibiotics puts your body at risk of becoming more susceptible to infection and will become resistant to antibiotic treatment in the future. Use this medication according to your doctor's instructions.

Tetracycline can also be combined with anti-ulcer medications to treat certain types of stomach ulcers.

Tetracycline dosage and tetracycline side effects are detailed below.

How do I use tetracycline?

Tetracycline works best when taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. To avoid stomach upset, ask your doctor if you can take this medication with certain foods. It is recommended to take this medication with one glass of mineral water (240 ml), unless your doctor advises otherwise. Do not lie down for 10 minutes after taking this medicine. For this reason, do not take the medication right before bedtime.

Take this medication 2-3 hours before or after taking products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, including antacids, quinapril, certain forms of ddI (chewables / tablets or drinking solution for children), vitamins / minerals, and sucralfate. Follow the same directions with dairy products (eg, milk, yogurt), fruit juices rich in calcium, subsalicylates, iron, and zinc. These products will bind to tetracycline and result in suboptimal absorption of the drug.

The dosage is always given based on your weight (in pediatric patients), your health condition, and how you respond to therapy.

Antibiotics work best when the levels of medicines in your body are stable. It is advisable to take this drug in a balanced period of time.

Take this drug until it runs out according to the consumption period prescribed by your doctor. Stopping the dose too early risks the infection returning due to the growing number of bacteria in the body.

If your health condition does not improve, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is tetracycline stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Tetracycline dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the tetracycline dosage for adults?

Common dosage for adults with acne

500 mg orally twice daily for 2 weeks or more, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

The usual dose for adults with bronchitis

500 mg orally every 6 hours per day, for 7-10 days. Dosage depends on the nature and severity of the infection; can be given for 4 to 5 days a week during winter as a prophylaxis against chronic infectious bronchitis.

The usual dose for adults with Brucellosis

500 mg orally 4 times a day for 3 weeks given with streptomycin 1 g IM twice daily in the first week and once daily in the second week.

The usual dose for adults with Chlamydia

Urethral, ​​endocervical, or anal infection: 500 mg orally 4 times daily for at least 7 days.

The patient's partner should also be examined / treated.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends oral doxycycline therapy for the treatment of chlamydial infection in patients who are not pregnant.

The usual dose for adults with Helicobacter pylori infection

500 mg orally every 6 hours for 14 days coupled with bismuth, metronidazole, and H2 blockers.

The usual dose for adults with Lyme Disease - Arthritis

500 mg orally every 6 hours for 14-30 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection.

The usual dose for adults with Lyme Disease - Carditis

500 mg orally every 6 hours for 14-30 days, depending on the nature and severity of the infection

What is the dose of tetracycline for children?

Age> 8 years: 25 - 50 mg / kg orally per day, divided into 4 doses

In what dosage is tetracycline available?

250 mg tablet; 500 mg

Tetracycline side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to tetracycline?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tetracycline and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• severe blisters, peeling skin, and a red rash on the skin
• less urine than usual or none at all
• pale or yellowing skin, dark colored urine, fever, dizziness or weakness; severe pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back, nausea and vomiting, fast heartbeat
• loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual fatigue

The side effects are not serious, including:

• sores or swelling in the rectum or genital area
• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or lips
• swelling of the tongue, difficulty swallowing; or
• itching of the vagina or buttocks

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Tetracycline Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using tetracycline?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make.

For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For non-prescription products, read the label on the package carefully.

Children

Tetracycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration and slow bone growth. These medicines should not be given to children 8 years of age and toddlers unless advised by a pediatrician.

Elderly

Many drugs have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work as effectively in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in the elderly. There is no specific information regarding the comparison of tetracycline use in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Is tetracycline safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Tetracycline Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with tetracycline?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Taking this drug with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may not prescribe this medicine to you or will replace some of the drugs you are already taking.

• Acitretin
• Metoxiflurane

Using this medication with some of the medicines below is not usually recommended, but in some cases it may be necessary. If both drugs are prescribed for you, your doctor will usually change the dosage or determine how often you should take them.

• Amoxicillin
• Ampicillin
• Atazanavir
• Bacampicillin
• Bexarotene
• Cloxacillin
• Dicloxacillin
• Digoxin
• Etretina
• Isotretinoin

• Methicillin
• Methotrexate
• Nafcillin
• Oxacillin
• Penicillin G
• Penicillin G Benzathine
• Penicillin G Procaine
• Penicillin V
• Piperacillin
• Pivampicillin
• Sultamicillin
• Temocillin
• Tretinoin

Can food or alcohol interact with tetracycline?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with tetracycline?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• diabetes insipidus (water diabetes) —demeclocycline can make this health condition worse
• kidney disease (does not apply to doxycycline or minocycline) - patients with kidney disease have a high chance of side effects
• liver disorders — patients with liver disease have a high chance of side effects if they take doxycycline or minocycline

Tetracycline overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.