Tetracycline, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: tetracycline antibiotic

Generic and brand names: tetracycline, oral; Achromycin V; Panmycin; Sumycin; Tetracap; Tetracyn; Tetralan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is an antibiotic that is taken by mouth to treat certain infections and to help control acne. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider. It will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider if you have kidney or liver disease.

Tell your provider if you have trouble swallowing or esophagus problems.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without discussing with your health care provider. Also, this medicine may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you need birth control, talk to your health care provider about what forms to use while you are taking this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes for the length of time prescribed, even if you feel well.

This medicine, in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid, works best when taken with 8 ounces of water 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

If you take this medicine with food to lessen stomach upset, avoid milk and dairy products within 2 hours of taking this medicine. If you are taking iron medicines or antacids, take them at least 2 hours before or after you take this medicine.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction after taking antibiotics. If you develop an allergic reaction (hives, itching, tightness in your chest, or trouble breathing), contact your health care provider or get medical care right away.

This medicine is usually not given to infants or children younger than 8 years old because it can cause problems with tooth development.

Do not take this medicine for other infections unless your health care provider approves.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your health care provider right away. You may continue to sunburn easily after you stop taking the medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Trouble swallowing, unusual bruising or bleeding.

Other: Stomach upset, dizziness, sore mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antacids or vitamins that contain calcium, aluminum, magnesium, or iron (Take at least 2 hours apart from this medicine.)
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Solfoton), amobarbital (Amytal), and butabarbital (Butisol)
• birth control pills
• bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• iron medicines
• lithium (Lithonate, Lithobid, Lithotabs, Eskalith)
• methoxyflurane (Penthrane)
• phenytoin (Dilantin), mephenytoin (Mesantoin), and ethotoin (Peganone).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.