Tetracyclines : Before Using

Tetracyclines - Systemic

Tetracyclines *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For tetracyclines, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to any of the tetracyclines or combination medication containing a tetracycline. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes. In addition, if you are going to be given oxytetracycline by injection, tell your family doctor if you have an unusual or allergy to ``caine-type'" anesthetics - lidocaine.

Pregnancy care

Use is not recommended during the last half of pregnancy. If tetracyclines are taken during that time, they may cause the unborn infant's teeth to become discolored and may slow down the growth of the infant's teeth and bones. In addition, liver problems may occur in pregnant women, especially those receiving high doses by injection into a vein.

Breast-feeding problem

Use is not recommended since tetracyclines pass into breast milk. They may cause the nursing baby's teeth to become discolored and may slow down the growth of the baby's teeth and bones. They may also increase the sensitivity of nursing babies" skin to sunlight and cause fungus infections of the mouth and vagina. In addition, minocycline may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or unsteadiness in nursing babies.

Use for Children

Tetracyclines may cause permanent discoloration of teeth and slow down the growth of bones. These medication must not be given to children 8 years of age and younger unless directed by the child's family doctor.

Elderly care

Many medication have not been studied specifically in elderly people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in adults people or if they cause various side effects or problems in elderly people. There is no special info comparing use of tetracyclines in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking tetracyclines, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Antacids
Calcium supplements such as calcium carbonate
Cholestyramine - Questran
Choline and magnesium salicylates - Trilisate
Colestipol - Colestid
Iron-containing drug
Laxatives - magnesium-containing
Magnesium salicylate - Magan Use of these medication with tetracyclines may decrease the effect of tetracyclines

Oral contraceptives - birth control pills containing estrogen Use of birth control pills with tetracyclines may decrease the effect of the birth control pills and increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy
Penicillins Use of tetracyclines with penicillins may decrease the effect of penicillins

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of tetracyclines. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Diabetes insipidus - water diabetes Demeclocycline may make the condition worse

Kidney disease - does not apply to doxycycline or minocycline Patients with kidney disease may have an increased risk of side effects

Liver disease Patients with liver disease may have an increased risk of side effects if they use doxycycline or minocycline