In the article, we consider the side effects of "Tetracycline."
The medication belongs to the category of bacteriostatic antibiotics from the tetracycline group. The drug has a large spectrum of antibacterial effects.
Release forms and composition of this drug
The medical tool "Tetracycline" is produced in the following dosage forms:
- In the form of tablets: pink, biconvex round shape - 10 pcs. in contour packaging, in a cardboard box - 1 or 2 packaging; 40 dark pieces in glass dark jars, 1 can in a cardboard box.
- Ointment for external use 3%: homogeneous, yellow - 15 or 10 g each in aluminum tubes, in a cardboard box - 1 tube.
- Ointment for eyes 1%: homogeneous, tan - 2, 3, 5 or 10 g each in tubes of aluminum, in a cardboard box - 1 pc.
Composition of tablets: active substance - tetracycline; auxiliary elements - basic magnesium carbonate, corn starch, calcium stearate, gelatin, tropeolin, sucrose, talc, red acid dye 2C, dextrin.
The composition of the ointment for external application contains such substances: the active element is tetracycline; auxiliary - ceresin, solid petroleum paraffin, petroleum jelly, anhydrous lanolin, sodium metabisulfite.
The composition of the eye ointment is tetracycline and auxiliary elements: anhydrous lanolin, petrolatum.
The side effects of Tetracycline tablets and ointments will be described below.
Grounds for prescribing a medication
The tablet form of this medication is prescribed in the following infectious pathologies:
- bronchitis, pneumonia, tracheitis, pleural empyema;
- gingivitis, otitis media, tonsillitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis;
- endometritis, prostatitis, endocarditis;
- intestinal infections, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis;
- osteomyelitis;
- rickettsiosis, whooping cough, syphilis, ornithosis, actinomycosis, brucellosis, gonorrhea;
- blepharitis, trachoma, conjunctivitis;
- purulent tissue infections;
- furunculosis, folliculitis, infected forms of eczema, acne.
The medicine "Tetracycline" in the form of an ointment for external use is prescribed for infections of soft tissues, furunculosis, acne, folliculitis and eczema. In the form of an eye ointment, the drug is used for bacterial infections of the eyes: trachoma, keratitis, blepharitis, barley (meibomite), keratoconjunctivitis, blepharoconjunctivitis.
Contraindications to the use of the drug
Contraindications "Tetracycline" in tablets are:
- Leukopenia
- Age to 8 years.
- 2 and 3 trimesters of pregnancy.
- Lactation.
- Increased individual.
This must be considered before use. Contraindications to the use of "Tetracycline" are described in detail in the instructions.
With caution, the medicine should be used in patients with kidney failure. Ointment "Tetracycline" also has contraindications. It is not prescribed for fungal infections of the skin, with high sensitivity to the components. Eye ointment is not prescribed for impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver, children under the age of 8 years, during pregnancy and lactation, hypersensitivity to the medication.
The method of use of this medication
Tablets are taken orally, washed down with a large volume of any liquid. The average dosage for adult patients is 0.25 - 0.5 g with a frequency of 4 times a day. The highest dose is 4 g per day. At the age of 8 - 18 years, a medication is prescribed at 6.25 - 12.5 mg / kg of body weight with the same frequency of doses.
Recommended doses of medication for specific diseases:
- Acne - 0.5 to 2 g of medication is prescribed per day.
- Uncomplicated infections of rectal, endocervical and urethral localization, the causative agent of which Chlamydia trachomatis - 2 g per day, for 7 days.
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea: 1.5 g per day - the initial dosage, then the medication is taken 2 g per day for 4 days.
- Brucellosis: 2 g (every 6 hours) per day for 3 weeks.
Ointment for external use "Tetracycline" should be applied to areas of the skin affected by infection, or used as a bandage. The frequency of use of this dosage form of the drug is 1-2 times a day. A gauze dressing is recommended to be changed every 12 hours.
Ophthalmic ointment is applied topically, by laying behind the eyelid. A single dose is a strip of medication up to 1 cm long. With the development of trachoma, the ointment is laid every 4 hours or more often for 1-2 weeks. With a decrease in the inflammatory process, the ratio is reduced to 2 times a day. The general course of therapy is 1-2 months.
With blepharitis and blepharoconjunctivitis, the ointment is used 3-4 times a day for 1 week. In barley, it is recommended to lay the medication overnight until the inflammatory symptoms disappear.
Side effects of "Tetracycline"
With the oral administration of a medical product, side effects of the following nature are possible:
- Digestive system: nausea, gastritis, vomiting, esophagitis, dysphagia, glossitis, anorexia, tongue hypertrophy of the papillae, ulceration of the stomach, pancreatitis, intestinal dysbiosis, diarrhea, hepatotoxic effect.
- Hematopoietic system: thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia.
- CNS: dizziness or instability, increased intracranial pressure. What other side effects from Tetracycline are possible?
- Allergic and immunopathological symptoms: redness of the skin, photosensitivity, drug lupus erythematosus, Quincke's edema, anaphylactoid reactions, maculopapular rashes.
- Urinary system: azotemia, hypercreatininemia.
- Other adverse reactions: candidiasis, tooth discoloration in children, superinfection, hyperbilirubinemia, vitamin B deficiency.
Are there any side effects of Tetracycline ointment? When using it, the occurrence of allergic reactions (slight burning, redness and itching), hyperemia and swelling of the eyelids, temporary blurring of vision and photosensitivity can be observed.
Ophthalmic ointment often provokes edema and hyperemia of the eyelids, blurred vision (passes independently), hypersensitivity reactions.
Special recommendations for the use of this drug
During the therapy with the medication “Tetracycline” it is recommended to limit insolation, since photosensitivity symptoms may occur. With prolonged use of the medication, it is necessary to control the functions of the liver, hematopoiesis and kidneys. The drug can mask the symptoms of syphilis, therefore, at the risk of developing mixed infection, it is necessary to conduct serological tests every month (4 months).
The effect of a drug on tooth enamel
During the period of tooth development in children, the appearance of enamel hypoplasia and its staining in yellow, grayish or brown color is possible. A similar effect is due to the fact that the main substance interacts with calcium and forms stable complexes with it in bone-forming tissues. To prevent hypovitaminosis during therapy, it is advisable to take additional B vitamins, brewer's yeast and vitamin K.
After applying the ointment for the eyes, it is not recommended to work with complex equipment and drive a car, since a medication can cause blurred vision.
Patient reviews about this medication
Reviews of the side effects of Tetracycline should be consulted in advance.
The medicine has been known for several decades as an effective antibacterial medication. There are quite a lot of reviews about it, but not all of them are positive. Patients note that when it is used, the development of adverse reactions is often observed, and many people prefer to use more modern drugs, considering Tetracycline an obsolete pharmacological agent.
Nevertheless, expert reviews refute this opinion. Doctors say that “Tetracycline” can show a high therapeutic effect if there is a sensitivity of infection to it, and in many cases modern medicines are powerless here.
We examined the side effects of Tetracycline.