Modern pharmacology is represented by a mass of various means. Many drugs are used by patients on their own. Most often these are antipyretic and analgesics. But there are drugs that should only be used as directed by a doctor. These include all antibiotics. The independent use of bactericidal and bacteriostatic drugs can turn out quite disastrously. Today's article will tell you about the use of the medicine "Tetracycline hydrochloride" (tablets). Instructions for use, reviews of the drug and features of its use will be presented to your attention. It is worth recalling that the information below should not prompt you to self-medicate. If you have health problems, you should consult a doctor. Only in this case you can be sure of the effectiveness of therapy.
"Tetracycline hydrochloride": release form, price of tablets
A medication is available in different dosage forms. On sale, you may find capsules, tablets, dispersible pills, suspension, powder or granules for the preparation of a solution. There is also an ointment with the trade name Tetracycline Hydrochloride. All of these medicines are over-the-counter and are available for sale.
The undoubted advantage of drugs is their cost. Tablets can be purchased at a price of no more than 100 rubles. The package contains 2 blisters, each of which has 10 pills. Be sure to accompany the drug instructions. It must be studied before starting treatment. Do not be too lazy to carefully read the annotation even if the therapy is prescribed by a doctor. Thus, you protect yourself from unpleasant consequences.
The composition of the drug and its effect
The main active ingredient of the drug is the component of the same name: tetracycline hydrochloride. The drug belongs to tetracycline antibiotics. It is made from a crystalline powder of a yellowish tint, has a bitter taste. One Tetracycline tablet contains 100 milligrams of the active substance.
The drug has a broad spectrum antibacterial and bacteriostatic effect. Tablets disrupt the connection of the ribosome with transport RNA, which ultimately prevents the synthesis of protein by bacteria. The antibiotic is active against gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, as well as some other bacteria. The medicine is not able to eliminate a viral and fungal infection. Therefore, it is so important to consult a doctor before use and find out the nature of your ailment: it is not possible to do it yourself.
Indications for use: what helps the antibiotic from?
The drug "Tetracycline hydrochloride" (tablets), the instruction recommends the use of bacterial pathologies of different localization. Doctors prescribe this drug for the following diseases:
- bronchitis and pneumonia of bacterial origin;
- tonsillitis and pharyngitis caused by antibiotic-sensitive microorganisms;
- cholecystitis and bacterial diseases of the digestive system;
- acne and boils;
- pyelonephritis and bacteriuria;
- diseases of the genital area (gonorrhea, syphilis);
- pathology of the reproductive organs (endometritis, prostatitis, adnexitis);
- intestinal infections of a bacterial nature;
- trachoma and conjunctivitis;
- purulent lesions and damage to soft tissues.
Contraindications reported by the instruction
Before using "Tetracycline hydrochloride", you must read the instructions. Pay special attention to contraindications. If you have at least one, then this medication must be abandoned. Otherwise, treatment can only worsen the general condition and cause adverse reactions.
It is forbidden to use the medication for pregnant women, nursing mothers, as well as people with hypersensitivity to the drug. The antibiotic has a hepatotoxic effect, therefore, it is never prescribed for liver pathologies and acute liver failure. It is contraindicated to use the medicine for certain blood diseases, such as leukopenia. No medication is prescribed for fungal infections, mycoses. If we are talking about a viral infection, then the use of tablets is unacceptable.
Possibility of use in pediatrics
Does the tetracycline hydrochloride preparation allow children to use the instructions for use? If you turn to the annotation, you can find out that the manufacturer does not recommend giving tablets to a child under the age of eight. After 8 years, there is a possibility of use in pediatrics, but only according to relevant indications.
The dosage of the drug for children is determined by the doctor individually. The duration of therapy is also set by the physician in accordance with the nature of the pathology. If the doctor does not give specific recommendations, then the antibiotic Tetracycline Hydrochloride (tablets) should be used according to the instructions. Dosage is set according to body weight. For every kilogram of weight, 25 milligrams of the active substance is necessary. Take this volume every 6 hours. For example, your child weighs 20 kilograms. This means that he is entitled to 500 mg of the drug for 3-4 doses.
"Tetracycline hydrochloride": instructions for adults
The dosage of the drug for adult patients is also determined individually. Much depends on the nature of the pathology and its severity. For example, in the treatment of bronchitis and pharyngitis, doctors choose a single dose of 250 mg. If we are talking about pneumonia or urogenital pathologies, then taking tablets in a volume of 500 mg at a time is prescribed. Multiplicity of use is 3-4 times a day. Instructions for use recommend taking pills every 6 hours. The daily dose of the medication should not exceed four grams of the active substance.
Antibiotic treatment lasts from five days to two weeks. With prolonged use, it is necessary to monitor the state of the blood and liver. Drink the tablets with clean water.
Side effects
Like any other medicine, the medication “Tetracycline hydrochloride” has its own negative reactions. Most often they occur with improper use or self-medication. In such cases, taking the medication is fraught with dyspepsia, indigestion, abdominal pain, the formation of fungal foci of different localization. Dizziness, migraine, irritability, or drowsiness may appear. An especially dangerous side effect is allergy. It manifests itself with various symptoms: rash, itching, swelling. If at this moment you do not stop therapy and do not see a doctor, then everything can end up pretty badly. Remember that further treatment will only aggravate the condition and increase the allergic reaction.
Is it possible to combine the drug with alcohol?
Is it permissible to drink alcohol and treat with tetracycline hydrochloride tablets? The use of an antibiotic involves the rejection of alcohol. Many consumers ignore this rule. What can they expect?
To begin with, it is worth warning: if you drink alcohol with a tetracycline antibiotic, then the treatment will be ineffective. Also, with such a combination, a pronounced toxic effect on the liver appears. Ethanol enters the bloodstream in an unprocessed form, resulting in damage to the nervous system, brain. The combination of an antibiotic with alcohol leads to the appearance of disulfiram-like reactions. They can be weak (nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea) or severe (loss of consciousness, severe intoxication, coma). Think a few times before drinking alcohol during treatment with Tetracycline.
Additional terms
What other information about the medication should be provided to the consumer? It is worthwhile to draw the attention of patients to the fact that antibiotic treatment lasts at least five days. Even if you feel much better already on the second day, then this is not a reason to cancel the medicine. When refusing further therapy, bacteria develop resistance. In the future, you will need stronger drugs.
Tetracycline is never treated with a viral infection. If you start taking an antibiotic with a common cold or flu, then only worsen your well-being. All bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents reduce immunity, suppressing the normal microflora. As a result, the body becomes even more weakened. The use of an antibiotic for a viral infection will only enhance the effect of pathogens.
Please note that the medication can contribute to the formation of insoluble complexes of calcium and tetracycline. They are deposited in the bone skeleton, on tooth enamel.
Consumer Reviews About Antibiotic
Most patients who took the medicine as prescribed by the doctor remain satisfied with it. The medication shows its effectiveness on the second day of admission. The body temperature decreases, the general condition improves. But do not forget that the antibiotic must be taken strictly prescribed by the doctor. There are negative reviews about the drug. It did not help some consumers. If within three days there is no improvement, then do not torture yourself: an antibiotic is not suitable for you.
Many patients complain that their digestion is disturbed during treatment. Indeed, an antibiotic undermines the intestinal microflora. This is manifested by flatulence, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased urge to defecate. All these signs pass independently after drug withdrawal. Most dyspeptic disorders are not a reason for discontinuing therapy.
Summarize
From the article you were able to learn about an effective and inexpensive antibiotic based on the active substance tetracycline hydrochloride. The description of the drug, the composition and method of use are presented for your reference. Remember that before using any medicine, you should always read the instructions. All the best to you, don’t be ill!