Tetracycline

Tetracycline is a prescription antibiotic that is often prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections, acne, and Helicobacter pylori infections. By decreasing bacteria's ability to make protein, the medication is effective at stopping bacteria from continuing to live and causing infection in the body. Potential side effects of tetracycline include nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

 

What Is Tetracycline?

Tetracycline (sold as generic Tetracycline tablets or capsules, or under a variety of brand names, including Sumycin®, Achromycin®, and Wesmycin®) is a prescription antibiotic that is licensed to treat a number of common infections. It is part of a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines. Other medicines in this class include doxycycline and minocycline.
 

What Is It Used for?

Tetracycline is licensed to treat a number of conditions. Some uses include:
 
  • Treatment of bacterial infections, such as:
 
 
(Click Tetracycline Uses for more information.)
 
The medication has not been approved for use in children under the age of eight. Treating children under the age of eight with tetracycline can cause permanent grayish-yellow brown staining of teeth.
 

How Does Tetracycline Work?

Tetracycline is part of a class of drugs called tetracyclines. It decreases bacteria's ability to make protein, which the bacteria need to live.
 

Effects of Tetracycline

By affecting the protein of bacteria, tetracycline helps stop bacteria from continuing to live and causing infection in the body.
 

When and How Do I Take It?

Tetracycline comes as a capsule, tablet, or liquid suspension. The medication is usually taken two to four times a day, depending on your healthcare provider's instructions.
 
You should take your dose at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.
 
Drink a full glass of water with each dose.
 
Tetracycline should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your system.
 
For the medication to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Make sure that you complete your entire prescription, even if you start feeling better. This will ensure that the infection is completely treated.
 
Never take outdated tetracycline. This can cause serious problems, as outdated medication can be toxic to the kidneys.
 

Dietary Considerations

There are specific dietary restrictions with tetracycline. The medication works best if taken either one hour before you eat or two hours after you have eaten. If you take it too close to meals, it will not be absorbed as well and may not produce optimum effects.
 

Dosing Information

The dose of tetracycline your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Whether you have decreased kidney function
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Tetracycline Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Tetracycline

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with tetracycline. However, not everyone who takes it will experience side effects. If people do develop side effects, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by your healthcare provider.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Skin reactions to sunlight (photosensitivity)
  • Upset stomach (dyspepsia)
  • Unexplained rash
  • Loss of appetite
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Itchy skin.
     
Serious side effects are less common.
 
(Click Tetracycline Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that should be reported to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Tetracycline can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Tetracycline Drug Interactions for more information).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Tetracycline?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you:
 
  • Have liver disease or failure
  • Have kidney disease or failure
  • Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Have any allergies to medications
  • Will be having any surgery.
     
Also, tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you may be currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, oral contraceptives, blood-thinners, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Tetracycline Precautions and Warnings to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much tetracycline may have overdose symptoms that could include but are not limited to:
 
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 

How Should Tetracycline Be Stored?

Tetracycline capsules and tablets, along with the Sumycin oral suspension (liquid), should be stored at room temperature. These products should be kept protected from light, moisture, and excessive heat.
 
Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your tetracycline as scheduled, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and take your next dose instead. Never take a double dose.
 

Who Makes Tetracycline?

Tetracycline is manufactured by a number of companies. Some of these companies include:
 
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals
  • Par Pharmaceuticals.
     

Is There a Generic Version?

Tetracycline is a generic medication. It is also available under a number of brand names, including:
 

Strengths of Tetracycline

Tetracycline comes in a number of strengths and will vary somewhat, depending on who makes it. For generic tetracycline, strengths include:
 
  • Tetracycline 250 mg
  • Tetracycline 500 mg.
     
Sumycin is also available as tablets and as a liquid. The liquid strength is Sumycin 125 mg/5 mL.
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;