$Unique_ID{BRK03345} $Pretitle{} $Title{tetracycline} $Subject{Achromycin V Lederle Nor-Tet Vortech Panmycin Upjohn Robitet Robicaps Robins Sumycin Squibb Tetracap Circle hydrochloride Tetracyn Pfizer Tetralan Lannett Tetram Dunhall Tetracycline antibiotic tetracycline acne bacteria lesions bacterial infections} $Volume{} $Log{ Sumycin*0334501.scf} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. tetracycline ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers) Achromycin V (Lederle) Nor-Tet (Vortech) Panmycin (Upjohn) Robitet Robicaps (Robins) Sumycin (Squibb) Tetracap (Circle) tetracycline hydrochloride (various manufacturers) Tetracyn (Pfizer) Tetralan (Lannett) Tetram (Dunhall) TYPE OF DRUG Tetracycline antibiotic INGREDIENT tetracycline DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg) Capsules (100 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg) Oral suspension (125 mg per 5-ml spoonful) STORAGE Tetracycline tablets, capsules, and oral suspension should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. Any unused portion of the suspension should be discarded after 14 days because the drug loses its potency after that period. Discard any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. This medication should never be frozen. USES Tetracycline is used to treat acne (bacteria may be partly responsible for the development of acne lesions) and a wide variety of bacterial infections. It acts by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. Tetracycline kills susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses or fungi. TREATMENT Ideally, this medication should be taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after a meal. It should be taken with a full glass of water in order to avoid irritating the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube). If this drug causes stomach upset, however, you can take it with food (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Avoid consuming dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) within two hours of any dose of this drug. Avoid taking antacids and laxatives that contain aluminum, calcium, or magnesium within an hour or two of a dose. Avoid taking any medication containing iron within three hours of a dose. These products, including vitamins, chemically bind tetracycline in the stomach and gastrointestinal tract, preventing the drug from being absorbed into the body. The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just before measuring each dose. The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the ingredients evenly and equalize the doses. Each dose should then be measured carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough. The oral suspension form of this medication should not be mixed with any other substance, unless your doctor says so. Tetracycline works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take four doses a day, the doses should be spaced six hours apart. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately. However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway through the regular interval between doses; and then return to your regular dosing schedule. It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms disappear before the end of that period. If you stop taking the drug too soon, resistant bacteria are given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Diarrhea, discoloration of the nails, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramps and upset, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Tetracycline can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. You should, therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps. Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen. Major. Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, mouth irritation, rash, rectal or vaginal itching, sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact your doctor. INTERACTIONS Tetracycline interacts with other types of medications: 1. It can increase the absorption of digoxin, which may lead to digoxin toxicity. 2. The gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset) of theophylline may be increased by tetracycline. 3. The dosage of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) may need to be adjusted when this medication is started. 4. Tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills), and pregnancy could result. You should, therefore, use a different or additional form of birth control while taking tetracycline. Discuss this with your doctor. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above. WARNINGS * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to any medications, especially to tetracycline or to oxytetracycline, doxycycline, or minocycline. * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney or liver disease. * Tetracycline can affect tests for syphilis; tell your doctor you are taking this drug if you are being treated for syphilis. * Make sure that your prescription for this drug is marked with the expiration date. The drug should be discarded after the expiration date. If tetracycline is used after it has expired, serious side effects (especially to the kidneys) could result. * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only. Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a different medicine. You should not give your medicine to other people or use it for other infections unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are breast-feeding. Tetracycline crosses the placenta and passes into breast milk. If used during tooth development, this drug can cause permanent tooth discoloration. It can also inhibit tooth and bone growth in the fetus. It should not be used in pregnant or nursing women, infants, or children less than eight years of age. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.