Prescription Drug:
This drug contains the active ingredient tetracycline hydrochloride, which belongs to a group of antibiotics called the tetracyclines. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Tetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Tetracycline therefore stops the spread of the infection and the remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die.
Tetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria. However, some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to this antibiotic, which has reduced its effectiveness for treating some types of infection.
Tetracycline is still used to treat infections caused by chlamydia (eg the chest infection psittacosis, the eye infection trachoma, and the genital infection urethritis) and infections caused by mycoplasma organisms (eg pneumonia).
Tetracycline is used to treat acne, due to its activity against the bacteria on the skin that cause acne (Propionebacterium acnes). It is used to treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, due to its activity against the bacteria usually responsible, Haemophilus influenzae.
Tetracycline is also used to treat other rarer infections, such as those caused by a group of micro-organisms called rickettsiae (eg Q fever, Rocky mountain spotted fever) and those caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis).
To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to tetracycline your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the infected area, or a urine or blood sample.
This belongs to the group of drugs known as antibiotics.
Tetracycline is used to treat various types of bacterial infections by killing or stopping the growth of the bacteria. Tetracycline is particularly useful for treating skin conditions, such as acne.
Tetracycline is available in tablet form.
No Prescription:
Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria including Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and many others. The first drug of the tetracycline family, chlortetracycline, was introduced in 1948.
Drug without Prescription:
Tetracycline, a "broad-spectrum" antibiotic, is used to treat bacterial infections such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, and tick fevers; upper respiratory infections; pneumonia; gonorrhea; amoebic infections; and urinary tract infections. It is also used to help treat severe acne and to treat trachoma (a chronic eye infection) and conjunctivitis (pinkeye). Tetracycline is often an alternative drug for people who are allergic to penicillin.
Tetracycline should not be used during the last half of pregnancy or in children under the age of 8. It may damage developing teeth and cause permanent discoloration.
Prescription is used for:
Acne vulgaris
Chlamydia infections
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic inflammatory disorder of the facial skin (acne rosacea)
Infection caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis)
Infections caused by Mycoplasma organisms
Infections caused by Rickettsiae micro-organisms transmitted by lice, fleas, ticks and mites
Tetracycline is used for many different infections including respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also is used for nongonococcal urethritis (due to Ureaplasma), Rocky mountain spotted fever, typhus, chancroid, cholera, brucellosis, anthrax, syphilis, and acne. It is used in combination with other medications to treat Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria associated with ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.
Prescription Side Effects:
Abdominal pain;
Abnormal reaction of the skin to light usually a rash (photosensitivity);
Anemia;
Blood disorders;
Blurred vision and headache (in adults);
Bulging soft spot on the head (in infants);
Diarrhea or loose stools;
Diarrhoea;
Difficult or painful swallowing;
Difficulty or pain when swallowing (dysphagia);
Difficulty swallowing;
Discolouration of the skin;
Dizziness;
Extreme allergic reactions;
Eyes;
Genital or anal sores or rash;
Headache;
Heartburn;
Hives;
Increased sensitivity to light;
Inflammation of large bowel;
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis);
Inflammation of the tongue;
Inflammation of the upper digestive tract;
Liver disorders;
Loss of appetite;
Loss of balance;
Nausea (feeling sick);
Nausea and vomiting;
Nausea;
Problems with eyesight;
Rash;
Ringing in the ears;
Skin reactions such as rash and itch;
Skin reactions;
Sore or painful tongue or mouth;
Soreness and itching of the rectal or genital area;
Swelling due to fluid accumulation;
Tears and sweat;
Tummy pain;
Vision disturbance;
Visual disturbances;
Vomiting (being sick);
Vomiting;
Prescription Form:
Capsules: 250 milligrams,
Capsules: 500 milligrams;
Tablets: 250 milligrams,
Tablets: 500 milligrams;
Syrup: 125 milligrams/teaspoon.
Prescription Recommended Dosage:
Your doctor will adjust your dose on the basis of the condition to be treated, your age, and risk factors such as kidney problems.
You should use this drug for at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms and fever have subsided. For a streptococcal infection, doses should be taken for at least 10 days.
ADULTS
For most infections, the usual daily dose is 1 to 2 grams divided into 2 or 4 equal doses, depending on severity.
For treatment of brucellosis
The usual dose is 500 milligrams 4 times daily for 3 weeks; the drug should be accompanied by streptomycin.
For treatment of syphilis
You should take a total of 30 to 40 grams, divided into equal doses over a period of 10 to 15 days.
Gonorrhea patients sensitive to penicillin can take tetracycline, starting with 1.5 grams, followed by 0.5 gram every 6 hours for 4 days, to a total dosage of 9 grams.
For urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections in adults caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
The usual dose is 500 milligrams, 4 times a day, for at least 7 days.
CHILDREN 8 YEARS OF AGE AND ABOVE
The usual daily dose is 10 to 20 milligrams per pound of body weight divided into 2 or 4 equal doses.
Tetracycline should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after meals to prevent binding to food and the resulting reduced absorption of the tetracycline. For most infections, tetracycline is taken two to four times daily for 7 to 14 days.
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