Description

Tetracycline is the drug of choice in the following infections : Ricketsial infection (Rocky Mountain spotted fever, endemic and scrub typhus fever and human ehrlichiosis). Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in adults. Outbreaks of pneumonia caused by this organism are common in barracks and institutions. Most cases occur in children and young adults. Maculopapular rashes, haemolytic anaemia and meningo-encephalitis occur rarely. Chlamydial Infections: Chlamydia psittaci: This organism is the cause of psittacosis (ornithosis), a systemic illness contracted from infected birds. The pneumonia associated with it may be extensive, and severe systemic upset and death are common.Headache is a prominent early symptom. Non-gonococcal or non specific urethritis: Inflammation of the urethra not resulting from gonococcal, chlamydial, or other specific infectious agents. Lyme disease Brucellosis Miscellaneous infections, including granuloma inguinale, cholera, glanders, relapsing fever and V. vulnifians. Other common uses of tetracycline include the following: Urinary Tract Infections with susceptible organisms (including the acute urethral syndrome in women). Bronchitis in patients with known underlying chronic lung diseases. Pelvic inflammatory disease and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) regimen. Travelers diarrhoea. Acne vulgaris Prostatitis. As an alternative agent in the penicillin allergic patient with syphilis. Anaerobic infections with susceptible organisms.

Impaired absorption with antacids containing divalent and trivalent cations (e.g. Al, Ca, Mg), Fe, Zn and Na bicarbonate preparations, kaolin-pectin, bismuth subsalicylate, sucralfate, strontium ranelate, colestipol and colestyramine. May interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin. May potentiate the effect of anticoagulants. May decrease efficacy of oral contraceptives. Nephrotoxic effects may be exacerbated by diuretics or other nephrotoxic drugs. May increase the hypoglycaemic effect of insulin and sulfonylureas in patients with DM. May increase toxic effects of ergot alkaloids and methotrexate.

Teeth and bone: Tetracycline can cause depression of bone growth, permanent graybrown discoloration of the teeth and enamel hypoplasia when given during tooth development (i.e. during the later half of pregnancy, during infancy and in childhood). Hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis, urticaria and rashes are uncommon. Photosensitivity reactions consisting of a red rash on areas exposed to intense sunlight can occur with Tetracycline. Gastrointestinal effects: Epigastric distress and nausea are commonly seen after oral administration, and these symptoms are somewhat dose related. Vomiting can occur. Accentuated prerenal azotemia: Tetracycline appears to aggravate pre-existing renal failure by inhibiting protein synthesis, which increases the azotemia from amino acid metabolism. Superinfections with oral and anogenital candidiasis are relatively common in patients taking Tetracycline. Esophageal ulcerations: In most cases, the patients were taking the capsules with little or no fluid before going to bed. To help minimize this, oral doses should be given with adequate amounts of fluid.

Tetracycline should not be used during pregnancy because of the risk of hypertoxicity in the mother as well as the effects on the developing foetus. Use in pregnancy potentially during breast-feeding and in children up to the age of 8, or some authorise say 12 years, may result in impaired bone growth and permanent discoloration of the child's teeth.

Care should be taken if Tetracycline Hydrochloride is given to patients with impaired liver function and high doses should be avoided. Potentiality hepatotoxic drugs (including erythromycin, chloramphenicol, isoniazide and sulphonamides) should not be given concomitantly.

Tetracycline group of drugs

Store between 20-25° C.