Bacteria’s are found in our daily lives almost everywhere in our atmosphere.
You may be aware that, they exist in a very large number and can almost survive in any condition. Some bacteria’s are very beneficial, useful and harmless, while some are pathogenic, which are responsible for many types of bacterial infections. Hence, to get rid of such bacterial infections, antibiotics are used. ‘Anti’ means ’against’ and ‘Bios’ means ‘life’.

Several antibiotics are available in the market and each has a specific task to do depending upon the condition of the infection. To treat such types of infections, Generic Tetracycline medication is used popularly worldwide. Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Generic Tetracycline is commonly used against the bacterial infections like, Plague, Cholera, Lyme disease, Typhus fever, Tick fever, Certain types of pneumonia and other respiratory infections, Urinary tract infections UTIs, Skin infections, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Conjunctivitis pink eye, Chlamydia etc. The generic Tetracycline antibiotic is also used to treat moderate to severe Helicobacter pylori infections and acne.

Moreover, it is effective used against a wide variety of bacteria including Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and many others. However, Tetracycline is also used to treat a number of other more uncommon bacterial infections. Remember, Tetracycline is not effective against any infection caused by a virus, such as common cold, stomach flu, or the flu. Some people who are allergic to penicillin, Tetracycline may be used in place of penicillin to treat common infections, such as: Anthrax, Gonorrhea, Syphilis etc.

Remember, Tetracycline should not be used in children who are under eight years of age as permanent discoloration and altered development of teeth have been reported in them. However, before taking Tetracycline medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Tetracycline medication. However, Tetracycline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

The first drug of the tetracycline family chlortetracycline was introduced in 1948.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Tetracycline medication and also read the prescription label carefully.

However, Tetracycline should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after meals to prevent binding to food and the resulting reduced absorption of the Tetracycline. For most infections Tetracycline is taken two to four times daily for 7 to 14 days.

However, if you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

Generally the generic tetracycline is well tolerated but few side effects can be noticed. If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. The symptoms may be – abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea or loose stools and vomiting. Exaggerated sunburn can occur with generic Tetracycline and hence sunlight should be minimized during the complete treatment. However generic Tetracycline may even cause discoloration of teeth, if used in patients below 8 years of age.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form.

It is recommended that tetracycline should not be taken at the same time as aluminum- magnesium- or calcium- based antacids such as Mylanta Maalox Tums or Rolaids since like food these compounds bind Tetracycline in the intestine. Similarly tetracycline should not be taken with minerals such as calcium or iron with bismuth subsalicylate Pepto-Bismol or with dairy products.

Tetracycline may enhance the activity of warfarin Coumadin and result in excessive thinning of the blood necessitating, a reduction in the dose of warfarin. Phenytoin Dilantin carbamazepine Tegretol and barbiturates such as phenobarbital can enhance the metabolism of tetracycline.

However, Tetracycline may also interact with some of the foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other medications etc.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you miss the dose of the generic Tetracycline medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double your doses in any case and consult your doctor for the missed dosage.

The generic Tetracycline medication is used to treat various types of infections like respiratory tract infections due to Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It also is used for nongonococcal urethritis due to Ureaplasma, Rocky mountain spotted fever, typhus, chancroid, cholera, brucellosis, anthrax, syphilis and acne. It is used in combination with other medications to treat Helicobacter pylori the bacteria associated with ulcers of the stomach and duodenum etc.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The Tetracycline medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Tetracycline medication.

Tetracycline capsules should be stored at room temperature in between 30°C and 86°F in a cool and dry place. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. In any case, do not store the Tetracycline capsules in the bathroom. Do not freeze in any case.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Tetracycline:

1. It is very important for the patient to know that before using Tetracycline they must inform their health care professional or doctor if they have or ever had - liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, poor blood circulation, high or low blood pressure, or any other major disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or smoke.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Tetracycline medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Tetracycline medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Tetracycline medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Tetracycline medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Remember, Tetracycline should not be used in children who are under eight years of age as permanent discoloration and altered development of teeth have been reported in them.

9. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the course.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits.