$Unique_ID{BRK02150}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{TETRACYCLINE}
$Subject{Achromycin V (Lederle)
Nor-Tet (Vortech)
Panmycin (Upjohn)
Robitet Robicaps (Robins)
Sumycin (Squibb)
Tetracap (Circle)
tetracycline hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
Tetracyn (Pfizer)
Tetralan (Lannett)
Tetram (Dunhall)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Sumycin*0215001.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


TETRACYCLINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Achromycin V (Lederle)
     Nor-Tet (Vortech)
     Panmycin (Upjohn)
     Robitet Robicaps (Robins)
     Sumycin (Squibb)
     Tetracap (Circle)
     tetracycline hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
     Tetracyn (Pfizer)
     Tetralan (Lannett)
     Tetram (Dunhall)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Tetracycline antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     tetracycline
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Capsules (100 mg, 250 mg, and 500 mg)
     Oral suspension (125 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Tetracycline tablets, capsules, and oral suspension should be stored at
       room temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  Any
       unused portion of the suspension should be discarded after 14 days
       because the drug loses its potency after that period.  Discard any
       medication that is outdated or no longer needed.  This medication
       should never be frozen.

USES

     Tetracycline is used to treat acne (bacteria may be partly responsible
for the development of acne lesions) and a wide variety of bacterial
infections.  It acts by inhibiting the growth of bacteria.  Tetracycline kills
susceptible bacteria, but it is not effective against viruses or fungi.

TREATMENT

     Ideally, this medication should be taken on an empty stomach one hour
before or two hours after a meal.  It should be taken with a full glass of
water in order to avoid irritating the throat or esophagus (swallowing tube).
If this drug causes stomach upset, however, you can take it with food (unless
your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Avoid consuming dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) within two hours of
any dose of this drug.  Avoid taking antacids and laxatives that contain
aluminum, calcium, or magnesium within an hour or two of a dose.  Avoid taking
any medication containing iron within three hours of a dose.  These products,
including vitamins, chemically bind tetracycline in the stomach and
gastrointestinal tract, preventing the drug from being absorbed into the body.
     The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just
before measuring each dose.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.  Each dose should then be measured
carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen
teaspoon is not accurate enough.  The oral suspension form of this medication
should not be mixed with any other substance, unless your doctor directs you
to do so.
     Tetracycline works best when the level of medicine in your bloodstream is
kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take the doses at evenly spaced
intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a day,
the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose immediately.
However, if you do not remember to take the missed dose until it is almost
time for your next dose, take it; space the following dose about halfway
through the regular interval between doses; and then return to your regular
dosing schedule.  Try not to skip any doses.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms disappear before the end of
that period.  If you stop taking the drug too soon, resistant bacteria are
given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, discoloration of the nails, dizziness, loss of appetite,
nausea, stomach cramps and upset, or vomiting.  These side effects should
disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
     Tetracycline can increase your sensitivity to sunlight.  You should,
therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps.  Wear protective
clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
darkened tongue, difficulty in breathing, joint pain, mouth irritation, rash,
rectal or vaginal itching, sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or
bruising, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.  Also, if your symptoms of
infection seem to be getting worse rather than improving, you should contact
your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     Tetracycline interacts with other types of medications:
     1. It can increase the absorption of digoxin, which may lead to digoxin
toxicity.
     2. The gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset)
of theophylline may be increased by tetracycline.
     3. The dosage of oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin)
may need to be adjusted when this medication is started.
     4. Tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives
(birth control pills), and pregnancy could result.  You should, therefore, use
a different or additional form of birth control while taking tetracycline.
Discuss this with your doctor.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications that you are currently
taking, especially any of the medications that are listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to tetracycline or to oxytetracycline,
doxycycline, or minocycline.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney or
liver disease.
     * Tetracycline can affect tests for syphilis; tell your doctor you are
taking this drug if you are being treated for syphilis.
     * Make sure that your prescription for this drug is marked with the
expiration date.  The drug should be discarded after the expiration date.  If
tetracycline is used after it has expired, serious side effects (especially to
the kidneys) could result.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Tetracycline crosses the placenta and passes into
breast milk.  If used during tooth development, this drug can cause permanent
tooth discoloration.  It can also inhibit tooth and bone growth in the fetus.
It should not be used in pregnant or nursing women, infants, or children less
than eight years of age.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
