Tetracycline is an antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections that affects the:

• Genitals like gonorrhea
• Skin and skin structure
• Urinary tract

• Chest like pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections
• Lymph nodes
• Sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis, and chlamydia
• Eye
• Kidney and urethra like urethritis

• Stomach like peptic ulcer
• Intestine like cholera
• Gum like periodontitis
• Gastrointestinal infections due to H. pylori bacteria

Other bacterial infections include:

• Brucellosis or Mediterranean fever, a highly contagious disease caused by ingestion of undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk from infected animals.
• Malaria, a mosquito-borne infected disease
• Leptospirosis, a blood infection caused by the bacteria Leptospira. You may become infected with this bacteria through direct contact with the urine of infected animal like rat.
• Bacterial infections transmitted by fleas, ticks, lice and mites.
• C. difficile infection if patient is allergic to penicillin

• Acne and rosacea because it’s active against the bacteria associated with P. acnes.
• Plaque
• Prevention of Lyme disease

Tetracycline is a cheap but a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against a different type of bacteria. It’s a good choice of antibiotic especially for people on kidney dialysis. FDA approved for medical use since 1978 and is on the list of most essential medicine needed in the health system by the World Health Organization.

Tetracycline works by inhibiting the bacteria from producing proteins essential for their survival. Without the protein, bacteria can’t grow, and increase in number. Eventually they die, thus, stops the infection from spreading. Tetracycline is mainly active against P. acnes bacteria. This bacteria feeds on sebum produced by the oil gland on the skin. Controlling these bacteria reduces skin inflammation and allows the skin to heal.

When and How to Use Tetracycline

The dose of Tetracycline and the duration of treatment depends on the following:

• Your condition
• The severity of your condition
• The strength of the medicine
• How well you respond to the medicine

The typical dose for most bacterial infection is:

• Adults: 250 mg to 500 mg every 6 hours. You may also take 500 mg to 1 gram every 12 hours. The dose in treating gonorrhea is 1.5 grams as the first dose followed by 500 mg every 6 hours for four days
• Children older than 8 years old: The dose should be based on their body weight. The typical dose is 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg per body kg every 6 hours. You may also give 12.5 mg to 25 mg per body kg every 12 hours.

The peak of action of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 4 hours while the duration of the effect lasts for an average of 1 to 2 days. Do not take milk and other dairy products within 1 to 2 hours after taking tetracycline as this can cause the medicine to not work properly. If your symptoms persist or does not improve after a few days of treatment, check with your doctor. Keep taking Tetracycline for the full time of treatment. Continue taking it even if you feel well already. Stopping your medication too soon may cause the symptoms of your infection to return. It may also make the bacteria more resistant to the antibiotic.

Possible Side Effects of Tetracycline

Common side effect includes:

• Sensitivity to light
• Diarrhea
• Stomach ache

• Pain when swallowing
• Feeling sick
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Rash
• Headache

Serious side effects include:

• Hives
• Swelling of the face, tongue, eyes, lips and throat
• Chest pain

• Unusual bruising or bleeding
• Joint swelling or stiffness
• A return of infection with signs like chills, sore throat and fever
• Difficulty swallowing and breathing
• Blurred vision or loss of vision
• Stomach cramps, water or bloody stools during the treatment or months after stopping the treatment

In case of serious side effect, check with your doctor right away.

What should I know before taking Tetracycline?

• Children below 8 years old should not take this medicine.
• This medicine is not also suitable for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Tetracycline can pass into breast milk and may affect the tooth and bone development of the nursing baby. It can also cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the life of the baby.
• Do not use Tetracycline if:

• You have a decreased kidney function
• You are allergic to any of its ingredients
• Lower dose and extra monitoring is needed if:
• You have a liver problem

• You have a condition called myasthenia gravis
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus
• Inform your doctor if you have problems swallowing, GERD, and esophagus problem before taking this medicine.

Getting the Best Result from Tetracycline

• This medicine can cause skin sensitivity to light. It’s best to avoid prolonged exposure to light while using this medication. Avoid using sunlamps and sunbeds too. Use protective clothing and sunscreen when outdoors. If you get skin redness and skin blisters call your doctor.

• Like any other antibiotics, this medicine won’t work against flu, colds and other viral infections.
• Do not have any vaccination or immunization while using this medicine because Tetracycline can cause live bacterial vaccine to not work well.
• Oral contraceptive that contains estrogen may not also work well if you take them with this medicine. You should use a different methods of birth control while under medication.
• Do not drive or do anything that requires mental alertness as this drug can make you dizzy. You should also limit your alcohol consumption.
• Tetracycline may interact with other medicines and may change how it works or may increase your risk for serious side effect. Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are using other medicines including those bought without prescriptions, vitamins, dietary, herbal supplements.