Tetracycline Drug Info
Generic Name: Tetracycline Capsules and Tablets (tet-ra-SYE-kleen)
Brand Name: Sumycin
Tetracycline is used for:
Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.
Tetracycline is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by
slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering
with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria
to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's
defense mechanisms to destroy them.
Do NOT use Tetracycline if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Tetracycline
or other tetracycline antibiotics (eg, doxycycline)
you are taking acitretin or methoxyflurane
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away
if any of these apply to you.
Before using Tetracycline :
Some medical conditions may interact with Tetracycline .
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tetracycline . Tell your
health care provider if you are taking any other medicines,
especially any of the following:
Acitretin or isotretinoin because side effects, such
as increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain,
may occur
Digoxin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin)
because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Tetracycline
Atovaquone, lithium, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins
(eg, amoxicillin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Tetracycline
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that
may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tetracycline
may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with
your health care provider before you start, stop, or change
the dose of any medicine.
How to use Tetracycline :
Use Tetracycline as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Tetracycline by mouth on an empty stomach at least
1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Take Tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down
for 30 minutes after taking Tetracycline .
If you also take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; preparations
containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium rich foods
(eg, milk, dairy products, calcium-enriched juices), do not take them within
2 to 3 hours before or after taking Tetracycline . Check with your doctor if
you have questions.
To clear up your infection completely, take Tetracycline for the full course
of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose of Tetracycline , take it as soon as possible. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have
about how to use Tetracycline .
Important safety information:
Tetracycline may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These
effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain
medicines. Use Tetracycline with caution. Do not drive or
perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you
react to it.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your
doctor.
Be sure to use Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. If you do not,
the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could
also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the
infection harder to treat in the future.
Tetracycline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun,
sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tetracycline .
Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more
than a short time.
Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the
kidneys.
Long-term or repeated use of Tetracycline may cause a second infection. Tell
your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to
be changed to treat this.
Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while
you are using Tetracycline . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth
control (eg, condoms).
Lab tests may be performed while you use Tetracycline . These tests may be
used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all
doctor and lab appointments.
Use of Tetracycline in CHILDREN may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.
Tetracycline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than
8 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tetracycline has been shown to cause harm to
the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will
need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tetracycline while you are
pregnant. Tetracycline is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking
Tetracycline .
Possible side effects of Tetracycline :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have
no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any
of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Black hairy tongue; blurred vision; bulky loose stools;
diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; fever; headache; hives;
hoarseness; indigestion; inflammation or redness of tongue;
joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; nausea; rash;
sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling
and itching of the rectum.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE
side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,
face, lips, or tongue); infection (fever, chills, sore throat);
itching; nausea; severe skin reaction to the sun; vaginal
irritation or discharge; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may
occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about
side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
(1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison
Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Tetracycline :
Store Tetracycline at room temperature, between 68 and 77
degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed, light-resistant
container. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not
store in the bathroom. Keep Tetracycline out of the reach
of children and away from pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Tetracycline , please
talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Tetracycline is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain
all information about Tetracycline . If you have questions
about the medicine you are taking or would like more information,
check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care
provider. |
