Tetracycline is used to treat bacterial infections that affect the skin, eye, lymphatic, intestinal, vaginal, and urinary systems, as well as several other infections that are spread by ticks, lice, mites, and infected animals. These infections include pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections. Additionally, it is used to treat acne in combination with other drugs. Additionally, tuleramia and the plague are both treated with tetracycline (serious infections that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack). Additionally, it can be used to treat anthrax and certain types of food poisoning in patients who cannot receive penicillin treatment (a serious infection that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack). Tetracycline belongs to the group of drugs known as tetracycline antibiotics. It functions by limiting the development and spread of germs.

Tetracycline and other antibiotics won’t help with the common cold, the flu, or other viral infections. Antibiotic overuse raises the likelihood that you’ll get an infection later on that is resistant to antibiotic therapy.

Tetracycline is available as a capsule to be swallowed. Typically, it is taken twice or four times a day. Tetracycline needs to be taken empty-handed, at least an hour or two before or after meals or snacks. For each tetracycline dose, a full glass of water should be consumed. Tetracycline shouldn’t be taken with meals, especially dairy items like milk, yoghurt, cheese, and ice cream. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take tetracycline as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Tetracycline is also occasionally used to treat Lyme disease, malaria, and to protect those who have been exposed to the microorganisms that cause the plague or tularemia from contracting the diseases. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

Before taking tetracycline,

• If you have an allergy to tetracycline, minocycline, doxycycline, demeclocycline, any other drugs, or any of the components in tetracycline capsules, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as any vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or intend to take. Mention any of the following: penicillin, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), and other anticoagulants (sometimes known as “blood thinners”).
• Be advised that tetracycline is interfered with and rendered less effective by antacids containing magnesium, aluminium, calcium, or sodium bicarbonate, calcium supplements, zinc and iron products, and laxatives containing magnesium. Tetracycline should be used either two hours before or six hours after taking antacids, calcium supplements, zinc products, or laxatives that contain magnesium. Tetracycline should be taken 2 hours prior to or 4 hours following iron preparations and iron-containing vitamin supplements. Tetracycline should be taken 2 hours before or after products containing zinc.
• Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or lupus, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system targets several tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking tetracycline. Tetracycline may cause birth defects.
• Make a plan to limit your time spent in the sun and to use sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothes. Your skin may become more sun-sensitive if you use tetracycline. If you have a sunburn, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
• You should be aware that tetracycline use can permanently discolour teeth if it occurs during pregnancy, in infants, or in kids up to age 8. Children under the age of 8 shouldn’t take tetracycline unless their doctor deems it necessary.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Tetracycline could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Vaginal or rectal itching
• Enlarged tongue
• A hairy or black tongue
• Angular or painful throat

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Headache
• Vision loss, double vision, or blurry vision
• Itching Hives
• Face, throat, tongue, lips, and eye swelling
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Stiffness or swollen joints
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Chest pain
• A recurrence of infection-related symptoms including fever, chills, or sore throat
• During treatment or for up to two or more months after stopping treatment, you may experience fever, stomach pains, or red or watery stools.

Other negative effects of tetracycline are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to tetracycline, your doctor will request specific lab tests.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking tetracycline prior to any laboratory test.

No one else should take your medication. It’s likely that your prescription cannot be renewed. Call your doctor if you continue to experience infection symptoms after taking the tetracycline.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.