Generic Name(s): Tetracycline

Brand Name(s): Achromycin

This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

How to use:

Before start taking any new medicine please consult with a doctor.

• Take Tetracycline by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Take Tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Tetracycline .
• If you also take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; preparations containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium rich foods (eg, milk, dairy products, calcium-enriched juices), do not take them within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Tetracycline . Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

Warning and Precautions:

Some medical conditions may interact with Tetracycline . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems

Important safety information:

• Tetracycline may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Tetracycline with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Be sure to use Tetracycline for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Tetracycline may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tetracycline . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the kidneys.
• Long-term or repeated use of Tetracycline may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Tetracycline . To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Tetracycline . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use of Tetracycline in CHILDREN may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.
• Tetracycline should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 8 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tetracycline has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tetracycline while you are pregnant. Tetracycline is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tetracycline .

Side Effects:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Black hairy tongue; blurred vision; bulky loose stools; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; fever; headache; hives; hoarseness; indigestion; inflammation or redness of tongue; joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; nausea; rash; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling and itching of the rectum.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Tetracycline , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Do not use this medicine:

if you have any allergic reaction to any component of this medicine

Storage conditions:

Tetracycline should be kept away from heat, direct light, water, moisture at a room temperature (approximately 23 degrees C ). The medicine should be kept in a place unreachable for children.

All information given above is a summary. You must visit your doctor, pharmacies or health care provider can provide more information about this medicine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Do not store medication with end term of storage.