Formulary
Tetracycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Tetracycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 4 min read
Tetracycline: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Tetracycline clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia, mycoplasma)**
- **Child** (By Mouth): 12-17 years 250 mg 4 times a day, increased if necessary to 500 mg 3-4 times a day, increased dose used in severe infections.
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 250 mg 4 times a day, increased if necessary to 500 mg 3-4 times a day, increased dose used in severe infections.
**Rosacea**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 500 mg twice daily usually for 6-12 weeks (course may be repeated intermittently).
**Acne**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 500 mg twice daily.
**Diabetic diarrhoea in autonomic neuropathy**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 250 mg for 2 or 3 doses.
**Non-gonococcal urethritis**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 500 mg 4 times a day for 7-14 days (21 days if failure or relapse after first course).
**Helicobacter pylorieradication [in combination with other drugs (seeHelicobacter pylori infection)]**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Helicobacter pylori eradication [in combination with other drugs (see Helicobacter pylori infection )] 500 mg 4 times a day for 7 days for first- and second-line eradication therapy; 10 days for third-line eradication therapy.
**Susceptible infections (e.g. chlamydia, rickettsia, mycoplasma) for tetracycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 250 mg 4 times a day, increased if necessary to 500 mg 3-4 times a day, increased dose used in severe infections.
**Acne for tetracycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 500 mg twice daily.
**Non-gonococcal urethritis for tetracycline**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 500 mg 4 times a day for 7-14 days (21 days if failure or relapse after first course).
Cautions
Myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness may be increased); systemic lupus erythematosus (may be exacerbated)
Contraindications
Children under 12 years (deposition in growing bone and teeth, by binding to calcium, causes staining and occasionally dental hypoplasia)
Side effects
Common or very common Angioedema; diarrhoea; headache; Henoch-Schnlein purpura; hypersensitivity; nausea; pericarditis; photosensitivity reaction; skin reactions; systemic lupus erythematosus exacerbated; vomiting Uncommon Dizziness; pancreatitis Rare or very rare Appetite decreased; discolouration of thyroid gland; dysphagia; eosinophilia; fontanelle bulging (in infants); gastrointestinal disorders; glossitis; haemolytic anaemia; hepatic disorders; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; increased risk of infection; neutropenia; pseudomembranous enterocolitis; Stevens-Johnson syndrome; thrombocytopenia Frequency not known Tooth discolouration Side-effects, further information Headache and visual disturbances may indicate benign intracranial hypertension (discontinue treatment if raised intracranial pressure develops). Side-effects For tetracycline Rare or very rare Agranulocytosis; aplastic anaemia; nephritis; renal impairment Frequency not known Gastrointestinal discomfort; stomatitis; toxic epidermal necrolysis
Interactions
**Other interactions (20):**
- Drugs Increasing Effects of Dalteparin The possibility of the following interactions with Fragmin should be considered: i) An enhancement of the anticoagulant effect by other...
- Concomitant use of P-gp inhibitors may increase the exposure of relugolix, including certain anti-infective medicinal products (e.g.
- Absorption of both iron and antibiotic may be reduced if oral iron is given with tetracycline.
- Combinations requiring caution Combinations which can increase the effects of digoxin when co-administered: amiodarone, canagliflozin, daclatasvir, flibanserin, flecainide, prazosin, propafenone,...
- Tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and penicillamine, should be taken at least 2 hours before and not less than 6 hours after administration of CitraFleet to avoid chelation with magnesium.
- This specifically applies to: Cellulose sodium phosphate; edetate disodium : concurrent use with magnesium supplements may result in binding of magnesium; patients should be advised not to take...
Pregnancy
Should not be given to pregnant women; effects on skeletal development have been documented in the first trimester in animal studies. Administration during the second or third trimester may cause discoloration of the child's teeth, and maternal hepatotoxicity has been reported with large parenteral doses.
Breast feeding
Should not be given to women who are breast-feeding (although absorption and therefore discoloration of teeth in the infant is probably usually prevented by chelation with calcium in milk).
Hepatic impairment
In general, manufacturers advise caution. Hepatic impairment For tetracycline Dose adjustments Manufacturer advises avoid in high doses.
Renal impairment
Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk (risk of accumulation). M Dose adjustments Reduce dose and/or increase dosing interval if use is essential. M
Medicinal forms
Capsule
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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