What is tetracycline?

What is tetracycline?

Tetracycline is an antibiotic that works against two main types of bacteria.

Examples of tetracyclines

There are many types of tetracyclines, including:

• tetracycline.
• Demeclocycline.
• Doxycycline (Accticlate®, Adoxa®, Doryx®, Vibramycin®, etc.).
• Lymecycline (Tetralysal 300). The feature is available in the UK but not the US.
• Minocycline (Amzeeq®, Arestin®, Ximino®, Solodyn®, etc.).
• Rolitetracycline.
• Eravacycline (Xerava®).
• Sarecycline (Seysara®).
• Omadacycline (Nuzyra®).

What conditions does tetracycline treat?

Tetracycline can treat a variety of bacterial infections. A bacterial infection is any disease or condition caused by the growth of bacteria. You can get sick from harmful bacteria on your skin, intestines, lungs, blood, or elsewhere in your body.

Infections can be caused by harmful bacteria in the environment, infected people or animals, insect bites, or contaminated objects. A normally harmless bacterium can also cause an infection if it gets into an area of ​​your body where it shouldn't.

Bacterial infections that can be treated with tetracycline include:

• Acne.
• Actinomycosis.
• Amebiasis.
• Anaplasmosis (infection caused by tick bites).
• Brucellosis.
• Chlamydia.
• Early Lyme disease.
• Ehrlichiosis.
• Legionnaires' disease.
• Leptospirosis.
• Melioidosis.
• Pelvic inflammation.
• Pneumonia and other bacterial respiratory infections.
• Rickettsial infections (Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus).
• Staphylococcal infection.
• syphilis.
• Traveller's diarrhea.
• Tularemia.
• Whipple's disease.

Healthcare providers may also prescribe tetracyclines to treat certain types of food poisoning and anthrax. Penicillin if you can't take it

Other conditions

Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe tetracyclines for non-bacterial infections. These include:

• Rosacea.
• Tuberous multiple sclerosis.
• Kaposi's sarcoma.
• Pyoderma gangrenosum.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa.
• Sweet syndrome.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Scleroderma.

How should I take tetracycline?

Most tetracyclines are available in pill form. But they are also available as topical creams, intramuscular injections, and intravenous injections. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on how to take your medication. Be sure to follow them.

Some tetracyclines need to be taken on an empty stomach. This is because foods can affect how they work when they enter your body.

Additionally, calcium, aluminum, iron, and magnesium can negatively affect the effects of tetracycline. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications or supplements you take. Many multivitamins, antacids, and laxatives contain large amounts of these substances. Your provider may ask you to stop taking these medicines while you are taking tetracycline antibiotics.

How long do I need to take tetracycline antibiotics?

The length of time you need to take antibiotics depends on the reason for taking them and other factors, such as your overall health. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you need to take it.

Be sure to complete your course of antibiotics—even if you start to feel better before you finish your course of antibiotics. You need to take the medication regularly until your prescription is completed to ensure it kills any harmful bacteria or prevents them from multiplying.

What are the benefits of tetracyclines?

Tetracycline antibiotics can treat a variety of bacterial infections. They are relatively safe and health care providers usually prescribe them.

What are the side effects of tetracyclines?

Common side effects of tetracycline antibiotics include gastrointestinal problems such as:

• Abdominal discomfort.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• Decreased appetite.

Some people have sun sensitivity (photosensitivity) while taking this medicine. This may cause an excessive sunburn reaction, such as blistering of the skin. Be sure to use additional sun protection (such as sunscreen or wear long-sleeved clothing) while taking tetracycline.

Rare side effects of tetracycline include:

• Liver function problems (hepatotoxicity).
• Worsening of kidney failure (if you already have kidney failure).
• Esophageal strictures and ulcers.
• Intracranial hypertension (increased pressure around the brain).

Finally, all antibiotics may contribute to the development of diarrhea associated with Clostridium difficile ( C.diff ) infection, including tetracyclines.

What are the risks or complications of tetracycline?

Tetracycline antibiotics are generally safe, but there are some risks to consider, including:

• Teeth discoloration.
• Antibiotic resistance.

tooth discoloration

Always tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Tetracycline crosses the placenta and may affect the fetal bones. They can also cause permanent discoloration of fetal teeth.

These antibiotics can also cause tooth discoloration in children under 8 years old. Therefore, health care providers generally do not prescribe tetracyclines to children in this age group unless absolutely necessary.

antibiotic resistance

Researchers and health care providers are increasingly concerned about bacterial strains that are resistant to tetracycline antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change so that antibiotic drugs are unable to kill them or stop them from growing. As a result, bacterial infections become extremely difficult to treat.

Your body doesn't develop resistance to antibiotics; bacteria do. When antibiotic resistance occurs, there are fewer antibiotics that are effective against specific bacteria. Other antibiotics often help, but it's important to have as many treatment options as possible. Your provider will choose the best antibiotic for you and follow up to make sure it's effective.

Antibiotics (such as tetracycline) are not effective against the common cold, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases the risk of developing an untreatable infection later in life. Take antibiotics only if your healthcare provider prescribes them for you.

When should I call my health care provider?

If you are taking tetracycline antibiotics, call your healthcare provider if:

• You have any questions about taking your medication.
• You may experience unpleasant side effects.
• Your infection symptoms are not improving.

Tetracycline is a common and generally safe antibiotic that treats many bacterial infections. As with all antibiotics, it is important to complete the course of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your medicines, please contact your health care provider or pharmacist. They can help you.