Before taking tetracycline

Before taking tetracycline make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If the patient is under 12 years of age.
• If you have liver or kidney problems.
• If you suffer from porphyria (a rare blood disorder).
• If you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (an inflammatory condition also called lupus or SLE).
• If you suffer from myasthenia gravis (a condition causing tired and weak muscles).
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or to any other medicine.

How to take tetracycline

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Take tetracycline exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Tetracycline tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of water, and should not be crushed or chewed. Do not take them at the same time as food or milk as these may make tetracycline less effective. Take the tablets one hour before or two hours after meals.
• To prevent these tablets from causing irritation in your throat, take them while you are sitting or standing up, and do not take them immediately before going to bed.
• Take your doses spread out evenly during the day and try to take them at the same times each day. This is important in order to keep a steady level of tetracycline in your body.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
• Do not take any indigestion remedies, iron or zinc supplements at the same time of day as tetracycline as they can stop it from working.
• If you are taking tetracycline to treat acne or rosacea, it is quite normal for your treatment to continue for several weeks or months.

Getting the most from your treatment

• It is important that you complete the full course of tetracycline which you have been prescribed, unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor. If you stop taking this medicine too soon your infection is likely to return and could be more difficult to treat.
• If you are using hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), the current advice (January 2011) is that additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Tetracycline may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Until you know how your skin reacts, use a sun block product to prevent this, especially in strong sunlight.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can tetracycline cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• Jaundice
• Blurred vision
• A severe rash
• Any unusual bruising

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store tetracycline

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Tetracycline Tablets 250 mg, Actavis UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated October 2007.
• British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.