Tetracycline hydrochloride

Trade Names: Achromycin, Panmycin, Robitet, Sumycin, Tetralan

Type of Drug: Tetracycline hydrochloride is an antibiotic belonging to a group of drugs called tetracyclines.

How Drug Works: Tetracycline hydrochloride stops bacteria from reproducing, and at higher doses, kills the bacteria. It is used to treat many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and some protozoa.

How Drug Is Given: Tetracycline hydrochloride is a pill taken by mouth 2 to 4 times a day, or given as an injection in a vein or muscle. Take the pill with an 8 oz glass of water on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating food or drinking milk. If taking antacids, take them 1 to 2 hours before the tetracycline hydrochloride. If taking iron, take it 2 hours before or 3 hours afterward. Take the evening dose at least 1 hour before bedtime. The dose depends on the infection being treated. Keep the medicine in a tightly closed container away from heat and moisture and out of the reach of children and pets.

How Should I Take This Drug? Take this drug exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions, ask your doctor or nurse to explain them to you.

Read the following information. If you do not understand it or if any of it causes you special concern, check with your doctor.

Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and herbals.

Should I avoid any other medicines, foods, alcohol, and/or activities? Your prescription and nonprescription medicines may interact with other drugs, causing harm. Certain foods or alcohol can also interact with drug products. Never begin taking a new medicine"prescription or nonprescription"without asking your doctor or nurse if it will interact with alcohol, food, or other medicines. Some drug products can cause drowsiness and affect activities such as driving.

Precautions: While taking tetracycline hydrochloride, DO NOT take kaopectate, bismuth, or methoxyflurane.

Oral contraceptives may be less effective when taking tetracycline. Women should also use a barrier contraceptive during the course of tetracycline hydrochloride.

Tell your doctor if you are taking lithium or if you have myasthenia gravis. There may be a drug interaction with lithium, and tetracycline hydrochloride may increase the muscle weakness due to myasthenia gravis.

Tell your doctor if you have any drug allergies, especially to antibiotic drugs.

All antibiotics can cause allergic reactions. Stop the drug and tell your doctor or nurse right away if you develop a rash, hives, red blotches on your skin, or difficulty breathing.

Use of antibiotics can change the normal organisms in your body. Women are at risk of getting fungal infections. Tell your nurse or doctor if you get vaginal itching or discharge.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use this drug.

Tell all the doctors, dentists, and pharmacists you visit that you are taking this drug.

Most of the following side effects probably will not occur. Your doctor or nurse will want to discuss specific care instructions with you. They can help you understand these side effects and help you deal with them.

Side Effects:

More Common Side Effects Nausea Diarrhea Vaginal itching Vaginal candidiasis (fungal infection)

Less Common Side Effects Vomiting Loss of appetite Abdominal discomfort Heartburn Sore tongue Redness and pain at place of injection

Rare Side Effects Black, hairy tongue Rash Darkening of nail beds Increased sensitivity to direct sunlight Darkening and peeling of skin Injury to liver when drug is given at high doses Decreased white blood cell count with increased risk of infection Decreased platelet count with increased risk of bleeding Decreased red blood cell count with increased risk of tiredness and anemia Dizziness Lightheadedness Headache

Side Effects / Symptoms of the Drug Stop the drug and call your doctor or nurse right away if you develop rash, fever, chills, or peeling skin. This can be a serious reaction and needs to be treated right away.

Other side effects not listed above can also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or nurse if you develop any problems.

FDA Approval: Yes