Tetracycline

What is Tetracycline

Tetracycline is a Tetracycline antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body.

Tetracycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, among others.

Tetracycline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Tetracycline

Take all of the Tetracycline that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Children younger than 8 years of age should not take Tetracycline. It can cause permanent tooth discoloration, and it can affect growth.

Avoid taking dairy products, multivitamins, iron supplements, antacids, and laxatives within 2 hours of taking Tetracycline. These products may decrease the effectiveness of Tetracycline.

Tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking Tetracycline.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Tetracycline may increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

What you should find out before taking Tetracycline

Before taking Tetracycline, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease. You may not be able to take Tetracycline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Tetracycline is known to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tetracycline may affect bone and tooth development. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Tetracycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Children younger than 8 years of age should not receive Tetracycline. It can cause permanent tooth discoloration, and it can affect growth.

How should take Tetracycline

Take Tetracycline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces).

Take Tetracycline on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

Do not take dairy products, iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking Tetracycline. These products may reduce the effectiveness of Tetracycline.

Take all of the Tetracycline that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.

Throw away any unused Tetracycline when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any Tetracycline after the expiration date printed on the bottle. Expired Tetracycline can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Tetracycline overdose include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Avoid while taking Tetracycline

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Tetracycline increases the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, and severe burning may result. Wear protective clothing and sunscreen if exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Possible side effects of Tetracycline

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Tetracycline and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- a severe headache;
- vision changes;
- confusion;
- liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue);
- blood problems (fever, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding); or
- genital sores or itching.

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take Tetracycline and talk your doctor:
- nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
- sensitivity to the sun;
- dark "furry" tongue, black tongue, or swollen tongue; or
- vaginal yeast infection.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Tetracycline

Do not take the following drugs within 2 hours of taking Tetracycline because they may decrease its effectiveness:
- cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
- antacids containing aluminum or magnesium such as Tums and Rolaids;
- bismuth subsalicylate in products such as Pepto-Bismol; or
- minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, which are found in dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements.

Before taking Tetracycline, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin); or
- another antibiotic.

You may not be able to take Tetracycline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.