Tetracycline is an antibiotic that was already used in the mid 50s of the 20th century. Today, many microorganisms are resistant to the drug of the 1st generation, they have adapted, and therefore it does not exert such harmful effects on them as before. But even today in difficult situations, doctors often recommend tetracycline: the new generation of analogues successfully cope with the disease.
What is tetracyclines (mode of action)
The group of tetracyclines and their derivatives (including semi-synthetic ones) has a little more than 260 drugs and almost 40 names. They are united by a chemical structure: a condensed 4-row system. The commonality of the structure causes a similar antimicrobial effect and mechanism of influence.
The work of tetracyclines is based on bacteriostatic properties (the ability to stop the growth of microorganisms) by inhibiting (suppressing) the synthesis of microbial cell protein.
Such a wide production of drugs of this series is also due to their ability to influence a wide range of microorganisms. Among the latter:
- gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria ,
- rickettsia
- trachoma pathogen,
- ornithosis viruses,
- spirochetes
- leptospira.
Over the years of long-term production, many microorganisms have developed tetracycline antibiotic resistance. Analog like the rule is more effective. Preparations from a number of tetracyclines differ in the active substance, its amount, strength and speed of action, method of application, rate of absorption and excretion from the body.
The history of development
The history of the use of antibiotics begins on February 12, 1942, when the first antibiotic was introduced at the University of Oxford to hopelessly sick people dying from blood poisoning. Within a few days they began to improve, and then they still died. The antibiotic was not found in the right amounts.
Chlortetracycline was the very first from a large group of tetracyclines (from a radiant fungus). Today, doctors and patients know him under the name biomycin or aureomycin. This event happened in 1945 in Oxford. And already in 1948, his clinical and laboratory trials began. Just a year later another antibiotic of this group appears - terramycin (oxytetracycline). And its use for medicinal purposes began in the next, 1950.
Semisynthetic tetracycline, known to all of us, was synthesized in 1952. And only after a year he was able to isolate from the culture fluid of mushrooms.
Microorganisms have a very high resistance, they are able to quickly adapt to antibiotics, which leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of drugs. This fate did not pass and tetracycline.
Today, scientists are forced to produce more and more new generations of the antibiotic, and the family of drugs is quickly replenished with new drugs with the latest active ingredients.
How does an antibiotic work and when is it used?
Scientists rightly believed that only microorganisms can effectively fight microorganisms. An antibiotic is inherently a substance isolated from the culture fluid of fungi, molds or microbes that can have a detrimental effect on other microorganisms.
Today, there are two ways to produce antibiotics. They are produced from the vital products of living organisms or in a semi-synthetic way.
Strictly speaking, the current semi-synthetic tetracycline is an analogue of the drug, isolated from living microorganisms. Many scientists believe that antibiotics created using the latest technology are safer for patients.
The scope of the tetracycline family of drugs is quite wide. So, they are used:
- in inflammatory processes of the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, tracheitis, pneumonia, pleural epiema) caused by sensitive microbes;
- in the treatment of ENT infections;
- for the treatment of eye infections;
- in the treatment of infectious diseases of the genitourinary sphere (cystitis, prostatitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea, syphilis);
- for the treatment of acute and chronic infectious diseases of the liver and biliary tract (cholecystitis, dysentery);
- for the treatment of skin infections (abscesses, boils, panaritium);
- in the treatment of febrile conditions (Ku fever, Yellow Mountain spotted fever).
Types of drugs
The pharmacological industry successfully produces both antibiotics based on natural raw materials and semi-synthetic drugs. Today, not only tetracycline is used - new-generation analogues have taken their place among a large family of antibiotics.
So, among the semi-synthetic ones, doxycycline and metacycline (derivatives of oxytetracycline) can be called. The next generation of tetracycline was morphocycline and glycocycline. And the newest combined preparation "Oleandomycin" is based on oletetrine and oleomorphocycline.
Minocycline was widely popular.
One of the most produced today will be Doxycycline and its derivatives, but Tetracycline is available along with the latest drugs. Moreover, it occupies a significant place in this series of antibiotics.
Dosage forms are also changing. In the last century, there were only tablets and powder for injection.
The very first forms of tetracycline were powders. They were bred in saline and administered intramuscularly. Initially, the doses were large due to the low content of the active substance, and the injections were very painful. Later, along with injections, tablets began to be used.
Pills and capsules
Today, tetracycline antibiotics are a wide selection of lyophysilates, tablets, ointments, eye drops, syrups. Now there are capsules containing tetracycline. The analogue of the tablets to some extent solves the problem of the negative effect of the antibiotic on the stomach and digestive tract. Nowadays, the majority of tetracycline antibiotics for oral administration are available in capsules or coated tablets. These are drugs based on the following derivatives:
- doxycycline (Bassado, Vidoktsin, Dovitsin, Doxycycline),
- oleandomycin ("Oletetrin"),
- oxytetracycline and erythromycin ("Ericycline"),
- minocycline ("minocycline")
And also on the basis of tetracycline itself: "Tetracycline AKOS", "Tetracycline LekT", tetracycline hydrochloride.
The use of these dosage forms is indicated for all types of internal infections: genitourinary, bronchopulmonary, intestinal. They are used as an adjunct to the treatment of ENT diseases and for skin problems. Prescribe tetracycline drugs to adults and children from 8-12 years old (depending on the drug). So, tetracycline and metacycline are prescribed from 8 years old, doxycycline - from 9, oxytetracycline - from 10.
However, you should not buy on your own instead of the prescribed drug, which is based on tetracycline, an analogue. And the instructions carefully studied before taking the medicine, and the positive reviews collected about the drug are not a guarantee that the tool will suit you. Yes, the symptoms described in the annotations and the symptoms you have may coincide; Yes, the neighbor who advised you on this medicine felt better literally after the first pill; Yes, the active ingredients in both medicines are almost identical ... But there is one thing, but experts do not tire of repeating it. When prescribing the drug, the doctor takes into account many factors. As a rule, the medicine recommended by him is optimal for this particular case. So do not engage in amateur performances.
What is lyophilisate?
This is a powder prepared in a special way (by freezing and vacuum drying), which is then diluted using special technology and used for injection. Injections can be intramuscular or intravenous. The lyophilisate has many advantages, it can be stored for much longer than antibiotics produced by other methods, has a higher concentration of the nutrient, and is absorbed better and faster.
However, when preparing the solution and its administration, you should strictly adhere to the instructions, otherwise the medicine may lose its beneficial properties or even harm the patient.
Tetracycline itself can be used as tablets, capsules and powder solution. There is no lyophilisate based on it, but a number of its new generation analogues (Vidoktsin, Tagitsil) are available only as a lyophilisate for injection.
What else can replace tetracycline? Its analogue, appointed quite often - "Doxycycline." The medication goes on sale both in capsules and as a lyophilisate.
Tetracycline with nystatin
This is a new generation drug that has not only antibacterial effect, but also antifungal. It contains tetracycline and nystatin in equal amounts, it has a wide spectrum of action, it is used for ENT infections, pneumonia, cholecystitis, sexually transmitted diseases, intestinal infections, acne, infectious diseases of bones and soft tissues. Available in coated tablets.
Many sites do not quite correctly name the medicines "Nystatin", "Oletetrin", "Tetracycline" as substitutes for the tablets "Tetracycline with nystatin." Analogs that completely coincide in terms of effectiveness and mode of action with this medicine are not actually released. The drugs mentioned above have only partially its functions.
Syrups and suspensions
Suspensions and syrups based on them are widely used in pediatrics. All parents know how reluctantly the children drink bitter pills, and tetracycline (tablets) is no exception. Analogs - suspensions allow you to mask the unpleasant taste of the drug, make it more comfortable to take. Pharmacology produces mainly special powders, which are then diluted to a state of suspension, and then syrup.
As a powder for suspension, tetracycline and tetracycline hydrochloride are released. Among the new generation of drugs are doxycycline hydrochloride, doxycycline monohydride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride.
The use of the suspension is most often practiced in colds and bronchopulmonary pathologies in children.
Ointments
Tetracycline ointments are intended for external use and for the treatment of eye infections. Not so long ago, tetracycline ointment was in demand, it was prescribed even to children (from 8 years old). But time does not stand still, the pharmaceutical market is replenished with modern drugs that displace medicines from the time of our mothers and grandmothers. What can replace such an ointment? Tetracycline analogues we named above. Of the preparations based on it, produced in this form, one can call “Kolbitsion”, which, in addition to tetracycline, includes chloramphenicol and colistimethate. Tobradex proved to be quite good, however, the active substance tobramycin is here, and it is not an analog of tetracycline, although it has a similar effect.
Ointment for external use (tetracycline) can also be replaced with the drug "Tetracycline AKOS." In fact, there are many recommended substitutes, but their active substance does not belong to the group of drugs we are considering, they only have a similar effect.
Drops
New generations of doxycycline-based drugs are available as eye drops. This, for example, Innolir, is effective in many eye infections.
To substitutes for such an antibiotic as tetracycline, the analogue of Oxytetracycline (solution) can only be attributed conditionally. And they can bury their eyes only in extreme cases and under the supervision of a doctor.
Tetracycline eye ointment (1% and 3%) is also used as ophthalmic drugs, but there are no drugs based on other antibiotics in this group.
What does the instruction say about contraindications
Often when it is impossible to use a drug based on a substance such as tetracycline, the analogue and substitute from this group are the best suited. The doctor will prescribe a new generation drug (doxycycline, oxytetracycline, metacycline), which in this situation can be used, and it will be effective.
Among the general contraindications are:
- allergic reactions to tetracycline;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- children under 8 years old;
- severe liver damage.
What is the danger of using tetracycline and its analogues?
A feature of all antibiotics is that they cause many side effects. tetracycline is no exception. Analogs (any of the new generation) also possess most of them. So, the most common side effects with short-term use will be:
- decreased appetite, vomiting, or nausea;
- dizziness and headache;
- diarrhea, flatulence;
- inflammation of the gastric mucosa, gastritis and proctitis.
With prolonged use among unpleasant symptoms, patients are often called:
- noticeable deterioration of tooth enamel;
- stomatitis;
- exacerbation of diseases of the genitourinary tract;
- hypersensitivity to sunlight;
- the development of fungal diseases.
Is tetracycline effective?
Often this question It worries those who are attentive to their health and have read the instructions for using the prescribed drug.
You can not call a harmless medication, the main active ingredient of which is tetracycline. An analogue (any of the group), like the original, will also have many contraindications. However, it should be remembered that the doctor prescribed the drug, and before that, he must weigh the expected benefits of the application and possible negative consequences.
Doctors prescribe a medicine (this applies to the tetracycline group) only in cases where the benefit exceeds the possible negative consequences.
Do not use this drug or its analogues on your own in any case. This also applies to topical application of ointments. After all, their long use can lead to serious problems.