Overview Of Tetracycline

Tetracycline, an antibiotic, was first patented in the 1950s. It has a molecular structure consisting of four rings and is used to treat several types of bacterial infections. Doctors refer to tetracycline as a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It can be taken orally as a capsule and as a syrup.

Patients will take oral antibiotics, particularly tetracycline, as a severe acne treatment. As mentioned, this medication is also an effective bacterial infection treatment. Some doctors also prescribe it as a pneumonia treatment. Of course, before taking this medication, patients need to understand it, including how it works and its possible side effects. Get familiar with tetracycline now.

How It Works

Tetracycline interferes with bacteria's ability to make protein. Ultimately, this stops bacteria from producing infections in the body. Specifically, this antibiotic blocks charged aminoacyl-tRNA from attaching to the A site on the ribosome of the cell. It binds to the 30S and 50S subunits of the microbial ribosomes and prevents new amino acids from being introduced to the existing peptide chain. Humans and other mammals are less responsive to the effects of tetracycline than other animals are, and some types of bacteria are becoming resistant to it. Resistance usually occurs due to a horizontal gene transfer that encodes a ribosomal protection protein or an efflux pump.

Class Of Medication

Tetracycline is part of a class of antibiotics known as tetracyclines. As discussed previously, this antibiotic works by stopping bacteria from creating protein. This applies to other antibiotics in this class. Although these antibiotics work in much the same way, there are some differences in terms of the form they come in, the dosage recommendations, and whether or not patients can take them with food. Some even have a lower risk of the side effects seen on tetracycline. The other common tetracycline antibiotics that are available to patients in the United States are minocycline, doxycycline, and demeclocycline.

Uses For Tetracycline

This medication is used to treat infections in several areas of the body. For example, it may be prescribed to treat severe acne. It is also beneficial in the treatment of respiratory conditions such as pneumonia. Doctors sometimes prescribe tetracycline to treat Lyme disease and malaria, and it may be considered as a possible option for plague, cholera, brucellosis, and tularemia as well.

Infections spread by lice, mites, or ticks could respond well to tetracycline. Patients may be prescribed this medicine as part of their treatment for a urinary tract infection too. Individuals who are allergic to penicillin may be offered tetracycline to treat certain forms of food poisoning, and it is often recommended when treating patients exposed to anthrax.

Potential Side Effects

Patients who take tetracycline frequently report side effects such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, tongue swelling, and sore throat. Some individuals have also experienced a black or hairy tongue while using tetracycline. Both vaginal and rectal itching have been reported as well. Patients should let their doctor know if these side effects persist or increase in severity. Potentially serious side effects of tetracycline use include facial swelling, breathing difficulties, dizziness, chest pain, and hives. Other serious side effects such as blurred vision, loss of vision, and unusual bruising and bleeding have occurred.

All serious side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately. It may be necessary to seek emergency medical care for these. Individuals who have taken tetracycline could notice a return of chills, fever, and other signs of infection during their treatment. Some patients may have a fever, stomach cramps, and watery or bloody stools for several months after discontinuing this antibiotic. It may be beneficial to keep a symptom diary that records all side effects, as this information will help guide doctors in their treatment plans. If side effects are troublesome or serious, patients should mention this to their doctor; it may be possible to take an alternative medication with fewer side effects.

Precautions To Remember

This antibiotic can cause harm to an unborn baby. Thus, patients should let their doctor know if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Patients who become pregnant while on tetracycline should contact their doctor immediately. This antibiotic may not be appropriate for use in patients who have lupus or kidney disease. Patients should discuss their full medical history with their doctor to make sure tetracycline is safe for their needs.

This medication could increase a patient's sensitivity to sunlight. Thus, during treatment with tetracycline, they will need to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to the sun. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and protective clothing should be used while outdoors. Patients will need to inform their doctor immediately if they develop a sunburn. Frequent blood tests may be required while the patient is taking tetracycline. These are used to gauge how well the medication is working. Patients should inform laboratory technicians of their tetracycline use before having blood work or other lab tests.

Advice For Taking It

Tetracycline must be taken on an empty stomach, and patients should take each dose at least one hour before or two hours after eating any meals or snacks. In particular, patients should ensure they do not take tetracycline with dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, or ice cream. Each dose should be consumed with a full eight-ounce glass of water. Some patients may experience an upset stomach when they are on this antibiotic. If this happens, they should call their doctor to ask if it would be appropriate for them to have some food when they take it. Their doctor can advise them on what is acceptable.

Finally, patients should avoid taking this antibiotic immediately before going to bed. This is because lying down after taking tetracycline increases the risk of throat irritation. Thus, patients cannot lie down for at least ten minutes after they take a dose. Ideally, they should take it at least one hour before bedtime.

Potential Medication Interactions

Taking certain antacids with tetracycline could reduce the effectiveness of this antibiotic. If possible, patients are advised to avoid the use of any antacids that contain magnesium, calcium, or sodium bicarbonate while on this antibiotic. If they are necessary, patients should take tetracycline at least two hours before or six hours after taking antacids. Laxatives with these ingredients are also known to interact with tetracycline. Patients should check with their doctor about taking iron or zinc supplements while on this antibiotic. Tetracycline interacts with some anticoagulants, including warfarin. Thus, patients should let their doctor know about any anticoagulants they take.

This antibiotic also interacts with others in the same class, including minocycline and doxycycline. Digoxin, atovaquone, strontium, and oral retinoids are a few of the other medications that interact with tetracycline. Patients should discuss their full medication list with their doctor to avoid harm from possible medication interactions. This list should include all vitamins, herbs, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications. Pharmacists should also check for potential drug interactions with the patient's other medications before dispensing tetracycline.

Common Dosage Recommendations

Capsules of tetracycline are available in tablets of 250 and five hundred milligrams. Five milliliters of the oral syrup contains 125 milligrams of tetracycline. The recommended dose of this antibiotic can vary based on why patients need to take it. However, the average dose for adults is one to two thousand milligrams daily.

When patients need it for acne, they will likely take two doses of five hundred milligrams each day, likely separated by six to twelve hours, for at least two weeks. The two doses of five hundred milligrams each day is quite common. Of course, some conditions, such as brucellosis, require a higher dose. Brucellosis patients may need to take five hundred milligrams of tetracycline four times a day for three weeks as part of their treatment.

Common Medication Alternatives

The medication alternatives to tetracycline vary depending on why the patient needs to take an antibiotic. For instance, patients with severe acne may be prescribed another oral antibiotic, like doxycycline. It is also common for acne patients to use topical antibiotic creams, such as a clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide ointment. Other alternatives include penicillin if patients are sensitive to tetracycline, as well as erythromycin and minocycline.

Alternatives for this antibiotic when patients have brucellosis include some of the mentioned antibiotics, like doxycycline, as well as ciprofloxacin and rifampin. Of course, patients cannot usually take more than one of these antibiotics at a time, since there is a risk of interactions.

Tetracycline And Allergies

Allergic reactions, particularly serious ones, to tetracycline are quite rare. However, it is still possible for some patients to experience a reaction to this antibiotic. Thus, it is vital for all patients to be aware of the warning signs of such a reaction. These signs include sores or other skin lesions, rash, severe dizziness, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, and new or worsening joint pain and swelling. Another serious symptom of an allergic reaction to this antibiotic is swelling or itching of the face, throat, or tongue. Patients must call for immediate medical help if they experience any of these allergic reaction symptoms.