Tetracycline Description

Generic Name : TETRACYCLINE

Pronunciation : (tet ra sye' kleen)

Trade Name(s) : Achromycin, Hostacycline, Iditin, Lenemett, Resteclin, Subamycin, Tetracycline, Threocycline

Why it is prescribed: Tetracycline, an antibiotic, eliminates bacteria that cause infections, including, lyme disease, pneumonia, acne, venereal or sexually transmitted disease, and bladder infections. It is not effective for viral infections such as the common cold.

When it is to be taken: Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Doses should be taken as far apart as possible throughout the day. For example, if your doctor tells you to take tetracycline four times a day, take a dose every six hours. However, if you cannot take the drug around the clock, take it at evenly spaced intervals between the time you wake up in the morning and the time you go to bed at night (e.g., at 7 a.m., noon, 5 p.m., and 10 p.m.).

How it should be taken: Tetracycline comes in the form of capsules, tablets, and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Tetracycline should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals. The capsules and tablets should be taken with a full glass of water. Liquid bottle should be shaken well before each use to mix the medication evenly. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon from your pharmacist to be sure of an accurate dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Take all of the medication prescribed, even after the infection appears to have gone away. Failure to do so could allow the infection to return.
2. Tetracycline can cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, limit the amount of time you spend in the sun until you know how this drug affects you. While in the sun, keep your body covered with clothing, use a sunscreen preparation on exposed skin, and wear sunglasses. If you become sunburned, contact your doctor. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
3.If you have diabetes, tetracycline can cause false results in some tests for sugar in the urine.
4. Check with your doctor before changing your diet or the dosage of your diabetes medicine.
5. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Take tetracycline at least one hour before or two hours after dairy products such as milk and cheese.
6. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

Side Effects :
1. Upset stomach. Disregard the instruction to take this medication on an empty stomach and take it with crackers or a snack. If stomach upsets continue, contact your doctor.
2. Diarrhea, itching of rectum or vagina, sore mouth, skin rash. If this problem is severe or persists for longer than two days, contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. If you have used all of the medication prescribed but still have symptoms, contact your doctor.
2. Tetracycline should not be taken by children under eight years of age, pregnant women, or women who are breast-feeding.
3. Women who become pregnant while taking tetracycline should inform their doctors.
4. Tetracycline should be taken two hours before or three hours after iron preparations. It should be taken one hour before or two hours after antacids, laxatives, and calcium supplements.
5. Tell your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially, penicillin, and anti-diarrhea products.
6. If your doctor tells you to stop taking tetracycline, throw away any unused medication. This drug loses its effectiveness and should not be saved to treat another infection. Old tetracycline may cause dangerous effects.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it, tightly closed, at room temperature.