Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tetracycline is a broad-spectrumantibiotic. It is effective against a wide variety of bacteria includingHemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae,Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and manyothers. The first drug of the tetracycline family, chlortetracycline, wasintroduced in 1948.

PREPARATIONS: Capsules: 250mg, 500mg; Tablets: 250mg, 500mg;Syrup: 125 mg/teaspoon.

STORAGE: Capsules should be kept below 30°C (86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Tetracycline is used for many differentinfections including respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilusinfluenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also isused for nongonococcal urethritis (due to Ureaplasma), Rocky mountainspotted fever, typhus, chancroid, cholera, brucellosis, anthrax, syphilis,and acne. It is used in combination with other medications to treatHelicobacter pylori, the bacteria associated with ulcers of the stomachand duodenum.

DOSING: Tetracycline should be taken at least one hour before ortwo hours after meals to prevent binding to food and the resulting reducedabsorption of the tetracycline. For most infections, tetracycline is takentwo to four times daily for 7 to 14 days.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: It is recommended that tetracycline not betaken at the same time as aluminum-, magnesium-, or calcium-basedantacids, such as Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, or Rolaids since, like food,these compounds bind tetracycline in the intestine. Similarly,tetracycline should not be taken with minerals (such as calcium or iron),with bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) or with dairy products.

Tetracycline may enhance the activity of warfarin (Coumadin) and resultin excessive "thinning" of the blood, necessitating a reductionin the dose of warfarin. Phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol),and barbiturates (such as phenobarbital) can enhance the metabolism oftetracycline.

PREGNANCY: Tetracycline antibiotics can have toxic effects ondevelopment of bone in the fetus. Therefore, tetracyclines are notrecommended during pregnancy unless there is no other appropriateantibiotic.

NURSING MOTHERS: Tetracycline is secreted into breast milk.Since tetracyclines can cause decreased development of bone, the use oftetracycline in nursing mothers is of concern. The physician must decidewhether to avoid nursing during treatment or to use a differentantibiotic.

SIDE EFFECTS: Tetracycline is generally well-tolerated. The mostcommon side effects are diarrhea or loose stools, nausea, abdominal pain,and vomiting. Tetracyclines may cause discoloration of teeth if used inpatients below 8 years of age. Exaggerated sunburn can occur withtetracyclines; therefore, sunlight should be minimized during treatment.