• Basic Info
• Top Questions
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What is tetracycline?
Tetracycline is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Tetracycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and others. Tetracycline may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of tetracycline?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using tetracycline and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or weakness;

• severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate;

• loss of appetite, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

• sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area;

• mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

• swollen tongue, trouble swallowing; or

• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take tetracycline?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Take tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Do not take tetracycline with milk or other dairy products, unless your doctor has told you to. Dairy products can make it harder for your body to absorb the medicine.

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What is the most important information I should know about tetracycline?
Do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby, including permanent discoloration of the teeth later in life. Tetracycline can make birth control pills less effective. Use a second method of birth control while you are taking tetracycline to keep from getting pregnant. Tetracycline passes into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect tetracycline?
Before taking tetracycline, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs: cholesterol-lowering medications such as cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); isotretinoin (Accutane); tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A, Vesanoid); an antacid such as Tums, Rolaids, Milk of Magnesia, Maalox, and others; a product that contains bismuth subsalicylate such as Pepto-Bismol; minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements;

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Tetracycline has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity and teratogenicity, including toxic effects on skeletal formation. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy, however, congenital defects and maternal hepatotoxicity have been reported. When used during tooth development (second half of pregnancy) tetracyclines may cause permanent yellow-gray-brown discoloration of the teeth and enamel hypoplasia. The use of tetracycline during pregnancy is generally not recommended, especially during the last half of pregnancy.

Tetracycline is excreted into human milk in small amounts. Theoretical risks of dental staining and inhibition of bone growth exist, although are unlikely. In one study, tetracycline levels were undetectable in nursing infants. Tetracycline is considered compatible with breast-feeding by the American Academy of Pediatrics. However, the manufacturer recommends that because of the risk of serious potential adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to continue breast-feeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to any tetracycline.
• Helidac^® Therapy (kit containing tetracycline, metronidazole, bismuth subsalicylate) contraindicated in pregnant or nursing women, pediatric patients, patients with hepatic or renal impairment, patients with known allergy to aspirin or salicylates, and those with known hypersensitivity to any component of the kit.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tetracycline?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to tetracycline, or to similar medicines such as demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), or minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin). Before taking tetracycline, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease. You may not be able to take tetracycline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy. If you are using tetracycline to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you have been diagnosed with a disease for which an antibiotic is needed, you must complete the prescribed course of treatment. Even if you start to feel better, do not skip any doses and remember to take the medication until it is all gone.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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