Tetracycline Hydrochloride (Oral)
Generic Details
Generic Name
Tetracycline Hydrochloride Oral
Other Names
- Tetracycline HCl
Drug Class
- Antibiotic
- Tetracycline
Chemical Formula
C22H24N2O8.HCl
Molecular Weight
480.9 g/mol
Mechanism of Action
- Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit
Indications
- Acne
- Chlamydia infection
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
- Lyme disease
- Gonorrhea
Common Dosage Forms
- Capsule
- Tablet
Typical Dosage
- 250 mg every 6 hours
Pediatric Dosage
- 2-4 mg/kg/dose every 6 hours
Geriatric Dosage
- Lower doses may be required due to decreased renal function
Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Photosensitivity
- Tooth discoloration
- Esophageal irritation
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Children under 8 years old
- Severe liver disease
Pregnancy Category
- D
Lactation Safety
- Not recommended, can pass into breast milk and harm the infant
Drug Interactions
- Antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium reduce tetracycline absorption
- Penicillins may reduce effectiveness of tetracycline
Overdose Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased intracranial pressure
Antidote for Overdose
No specific antidote, treatment is symptomatic
Storage Conditions
- Store at room temperature away from light and moisture
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption: Well absorbed orally
- Distribution: Distributed widely in body tissues
- Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver
- Excretion: Excreted in urine and feces
Precautions
- Avoid sunlight and UV light exposure due to photosensitivity
- Take on an empty stomach to enhance absorption
- Do not take with dairy products, antacids, or iron supplements
Warnings
- May cause permanent tooth discoloration in children under 8 years old
- Can lead to overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms such as fungi
Others
- Tetracycline should not be taken with food, as it can reduce absorption.