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- $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 Discard any medication that is outdated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.
-