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Tetracycline
Tetracycline
Pronunciation
(tet ra SYE kleen)
Brand Names
Achromycin® Ophthalmic; Achromycin® Topical; Nor-tet® Oral; Panmycin® Oral;
Robitet® Oral; Sumycin® Oral; Tetracap® Oral; Topicycline® Topical
Canadian/Mexican Brand Names
Acromicina (Mexico); Ambotetra (Mexico); Apo-Tetra® (Canada); Novo-Tetra
(Canada); Nu-Tetra (Canada); Quimocyclar (Mexico); Tetra-Atlantis® (Mexico);
Zorbenal-G (Mexico)
Therapeutic Categories
Acne Products; Antibiotic, Ophthalmic; Antibiotic, Tetracycline Derivative;
Antibiotic, Topical
What is this medicine used for?
- This medicine is used to prevent and to treat a variety of bacterial
infections.
- When applied to the skin, it is used for the prevention and treatment of
acne.
- It can be used by dentist to treat adult periodontitis.
How does it work?
- Tetracycline inhibits the protein production in bacteria preventing them
from living.
How is it best taken?
- To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
Oral:
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- Do not take dairy products, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, multivitamins
with minerals, colestipol, cholestyramine, didanosine, or antacids within 2
hours of this medicine.
- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Stop tube feeding for 2 hours, flush tube, and give medication. Flush tube
and restart tube feeding 1 hour later.
Skin:
- For skin only. Do not take by mouth. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may
burn).
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Clean affected area before use.
- Apply solution until skin is wet.
- Cosmetics can be used after the skin has dried.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Oral:
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your
regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
Skin:
- Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this
medicine?
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to
tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about
rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear
protective clothing and eyewear.
Oral:
- Not to be used in children younger than 8 years of age.
- Do not take bismuth (Pepto-Bismol®) with this medicine.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). May make infection more
difficult to treat.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control that you
can trust while taking this medicine.
- Birth control pills may not work. Use another form of birth control while
taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
Skin:
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
Dental:
- Avoid actions that may remove or change the position of the fiber. Do not
chew hard, crusty, or sticky foods.
- Do not brush or floss near the area or poke with fingers or tongue.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are the common side effects of this
medicine?
Oral:
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard
candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum
, or Lactobacillus acidophilus
may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some
pharmacies.
- Vaginal irritation. Report itching or discharge to healthcare provider.
Skin:
- Stinging, burning. This usually goes away in a few minutes. Yellowing of
the skin. This will wash off.
Dental:
- Discomfort around placement area, redness when fiber removed.
- Inflammation and pain in mouth.
What should I monitor?
- Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection if you are being
treated for an active infection.
- Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
immediately
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in
the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headaches.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
- If the dental fiber moves, breaks, if there is severe pain, swelling, or
bleeding.
How should I store this medicine?
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
- Throw away any oral medicine not used. Do not keep.
General statements
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including
over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).
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