Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an antibiotic specially designed for the treatment of bacteria-induced infections that your immune system is unable to fight off. Before you start using this medicine, it’s recommended to talk to your health care provider and discuss all the aspects, indulging medical conditions you have, possible contraindications and the drugs you are taking that can cause interactions. The following medicines are not supposed to be combined with tetracycline as there is a risk they can affect the success of your treatment in some way: herbal products, anticoagulants, nutritional supplements, oral contraceptives, penicillin, and vitamins. Other drugs, such as antacids, iron products, laxatives, and calcium supplements, can be taken along with tetracycline but need to be used at least 2 hours after the last dose of tetracycline. This medicine is supposed to be taken regularly for as long as prescribed. Even if you feel better before your treatment is over, carry on with it, as sometimes you can feel better before the infection has been completely treated. It’s also very important for your health care provider to know if you have diabetes, asthma, allergies, kidney or liver disease, as these medical conditions can affect the initial dose you are prescribed. If your dose is too high, you may need to have it adjusted by your health care provider. Sometimes serious side effects are possible if you take a dose that is too high,. The following ones are possible, although quite rare: chills, severe pain in your upper stomach, urinating less than usual, severe blistering, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, red skin rash, confusion or weakness, blurred vision, dizziness, severe headache, jaundice, and body aches. In most cases you will get mild side effects that will mean your body needs come time to adjust to the dose prescribed. The following ones are considered to be mild: trouble swallowing, vaginal itching or discharge, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, swollen tongue, swelling in your rectal or genital area, and mild nausea. There is no need for you to report them to your doctor as they are most likely to go away on their own. However, if the side effects you originally had change in intensity and get bothersome – make sure you tell your health care provider about them as soon as possible to prevent them from getting worse.