Tetracycline is an antibiotic. It is used to treat certain bacterial infections of the lung, skin and sexually-transmitted diseases (STD).
This medicine may be used to treat other infections as decided by your doctor.
Take Tetracycline exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. You may take it after meals if you experience any stomach discomfort.
Take Tetracycline at regular intervals. Do not skip any doses. You must complete the entire course of this medicine. If you don't, the infection will not be properly controlled.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have severe kidney disease as Tetracycline may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Tetracycline or similar antibiotics such as doxycycline, lymecycline, minocycline or oxytetracycline.
Do not take Tetracycline if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Tetracycline may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding.
Do not give Tetracycline to children below 8 years old unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Do not take this medicine with methoxyflurane (medicine to block pain and sensation) or with medicines used to treat acne, such as isotretinoin.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- liver disease
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE (an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
If you are being treated with Tetracycline for sexually transmitted disease, you should follow your doctor's advice on ways to prevent passing the disease to others. You should also avoid sexual contact until the doctor certifies that you are cleared of the infection.
Tetracycline may cause any of the following side effects: diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort.
This medicine may also cause discoloration of teeth in children below 8 years of age.
Tetracycline may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- rashes with skin peeling or blisters
- severe or prolonged diarrhoea which could be a sign of serious bowel inflammation
- fatigue, stomach pain, dark-coloured urine, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Tetracycline if you are taking any of these medicines:
- methoxyflurane (medicine to block pain and sensation)
- medicines used to treat acne e.g. acitretin, isotretinoin, tretinoin
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- penicillin antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin
- medicines for high cholesterol e.g. cholestyramine, colestipol
- atovaquone (a medicine for malaria)
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
- lithium (a mood disorder medicine)
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- methotrexate (medicine to treat cancer or rheumatoid arthritis)
- medicines to treat migraine e.g. ergotamine, methysergide
- sucralfate (medicine to treat ulcer)
- medicine to treat diarrhoea e.g. kaolin-pectin, bismuth
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tetracycline.
This medicine should not be taken with antacids, multivitamins, calcium pills, iron pills or laxatives containing magnesium. These could reduce the effectiveness of Tetracycline. Take this medicine at least 1-2 hours before or 4 hours after taking antacids.
Inform your doctor if you are taking birth control pills. Tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. You may wish to discuss additional birth control methods with your doctor.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Tetracycline should not be taken with dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt or ice-cream as these could reduce the effectiveness of Tetracycline. Take Tetracycline at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after you have taken any dairy products.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
