Tetracycline Fights Bacteria But Makes The Skin Vulnerable To Sunburn

Tetracycline General Information

Generic Name: Tetracycline

Brand Name: Panmycin, Sumycin, Ala-Tet

The drug called Tetracycline is used against bacterial infections in the body.

Tetracycline Uses

 Infections of the urinary tract, gonorrhea, acne and Chlamydia are treated with this drug.

How Take Tetracycline

Tetracycline is to be taken with 8 ounces of water in an empty stomach, wither one hour before or two hours after the meals. Tetracycline is not to be consumed with milk or other dairy products as these products restricts the absorption of the antibiotic in the body. The oral suspension in the liquid form should be shaken well before use and should be measured with a marked dose-measuring spoon. An improvement might be observed even before the course gets completed. The doctor might ask his patient to stop the use of this drug for a short time if his patient is in need of a surgery. Any unused Tetracycline or the one which has crossed the expiry date should be discarded. The use of an expired Tetracycline can cause harm to the kidneys.

Tetracycline Warnings

Tetracycline should not be used by expecting mothers. The antibiotic is harmful form unborn babies and it might cause permanent discoloration (yellowing or graying) of the teeth. Birth control pills lose their effectiveness when used with Tetracycline. The antibiotic contaminates the breast milk and so it is harmful for nursing babies who faces risks in their bone and teeth development. A child younger than 8 years is not fit to take the drug. Tetracycline makes the skin more sensitive to sunburn and hence while going out one should protect himself from sunburn through the use of SPF15 sunscreen and protective clothing. One should refrain from taking multivitamins, antacids, laxatives, and calcium and iron supplements within two hours of taking tetracycline.

Tetracycline Missed Dose

One should take the missed dose only if the time for the next dose has not approached. Otherwise the missed dose can be skipped to take the next dose at the scheduled time. But the use of extra drug is not at all necessary to make up for the missed dose.

Tetracycline Side Effects

The side effects of this antibiotic include dizziness, blurred vision, chills and fever, symptoms of flu, peeling of skin with appearance of red rash, lesser frequency of urination, pale skin, dark colored urine, uneven heart rates, vomiting, nausea and pain in the upper stomach, loss of appetite, a feeling of weakness and easy bruising. In some users, other symptoms like sores in the rectal or genital area, trouble swallowing, vaginal itching and discharge, sores inside the mouth and diarrhea have also been noticed.

Tetracycline Storage

This medication is to be stored under room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

Tetracycline Overdose

One should seek the guidance of his doctor if he thinks that he had used the medication in excess of what has been prescribed for him. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea might result from an overdose of Tetracycline.

Tetracycline More Information

Antibiotics often cause diarrhea. If a user gets affected with bloody diarrhea, then he must bring this to the notice of the doctor. A doctor should also know whether his patient is using medications like Cholestyramine, isotretinoin, tretinoin, vitamin and mineral supplements, blood thinner like warfarin and any form of penicillin antibiotic. Tetracycline should not be used by pregnant women if it is not recommended by the doctor. The doctor needs to be informed about pregnancy during the course of the treatment. Since the drug makes contraceptives less effective, so non-hormonal methods of birth control like spermicide, diaphragm and condoms are recommended to prevent pregnancy during the treatment period.