TETRACYCLINES

Brand & Generic Names

Achromycin	Monodox
Achromycin V	Novodoxlin
Apo-Doxy	Novotetra
Apo-Tetra	Nu-Tetra
Declomycin	OXYTETRACYCLINE
DEMECLOCYCLINE	Panmycin
Doryx	Robitet
Doxy-Caps	Sumycin
Doxy-Tabs	Terramycin
Doxycin	TETRACYCLINE
DOXYCYCLINE	Tetracyn
E.P. Mycin	Tija
Minocin	Vibramycin
MINOCYCLINE	Vibra-tabs

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antibiotic (tetracycline)

Uses

• Treatment for infections susceptible to any tetracycline. Will not cure virus infections such as colds or flu.
• Treatment for acne.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Take on empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet or open capsule and take with liquid or food.
Liquid--Shake well. Take with measuring spoon.

When to take:
At the same times each day, evenly spaced.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents germ growth and reproduction.

Time lapse before drug works:
Infections--May require 5 days to affect infection.
Acne--May require 4 weeks to affect acne.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency itching faintness treatment immediately. soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

• Sore mouth or tongue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
• Itching around rectum and genitals.
• Vaginal discharge due to yeast, abdominal discomfort.
• Dark tongue.

Infrequent:

• Headache, rash.
• Excessive thirst, increased urination, dizziness (minocycline).

Rare:

Blurred vision, jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to any tetracycline antibiotic.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have kidney or liver disease.
• If you have lupus.
• If you have myasthenia gravis.

Over age 60:
Dosage usually less than in younger adults. More likely to cause itching around rectum. Ask your doctor how to prevent it.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
May cause permanent teeth malformation or discoloration in children less than 8 years old. Don't use.

Prolonged use:

• You may become more susceptible to infections caused by germs not responsive to tetracycline.
• May cause rare problems in liver, kidney or bone marrow. Periodic laboratory blood studies, liver and kidney function tests recommended if you use drug a long time.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
Avoid using outdated drug.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Decreased tetracycline effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Increased anticoagulant effect.
Bismuth	Decreased absorption
subsalicylate	of tetracycline.
Calcium	Decreased tetracycline
supplements*	effect.
Cefixime	Decreased antibiotic effect of
	cefixime.
Cholestyramine or	Decreased tetracycline effect.
Contraceptives*,	Decreased contraceptive
oral	effect.
Digitalis	Increased digitalis effect.
Etretinate	Increased chance of adverse
	reactions of etretinate.
Lithium	Increased lithium effect.
Mineral supplements*	Decreased tetracycline absorption.
(iron, calcium,	Separate doses by 1 to 2 hours.
Penicillins*	Decreased penicillin effect.
Sodium bicarbonate	Decreased tetracycline effect.
Tiopronin	Increased risk of toxicity to
	kidneys (except with doxycycline and
	minocycline).
Zinc supplements	Decreased tetracycline absorption
	if taken within 2 hours of each
	other.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Possible liver damage. Avoid.
Milk.	Decreased tetracycline absorption.
	Take dose 2 hours after or 1 hour
	before drinking.
Cocaine:	No proven problems.
Dairy products.	Decreased tetracycline absorption.
	Take dose 2 hours after or 1 hour
	before eating.
Marijuana:	No interactions expected, but
	marijuana may slow body's recovery.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	None expected.