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Usage: Tetracycline is an antibiotic. It fights bacteria in the body. tetracycline is used to treat many different bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, acne, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, among others.
Directions: Take tetracycline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Take tetracycline on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Do not take dairy products, iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours of taking tetracycline. These products may reduce the effectiveness of tetracycline. Take all of the tetracycline that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated. Throw away any unused tetracycline when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any tetracycline after the expiration date printed on the bottle. Expired tetracycline can cause a dangerous syndrome resulting in damage to the kidneys.
Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking tetracycline and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); a severe headache; vision changes; confusion; liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); blood problems (fever, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding); or genital sores or itching. If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take tetracycline and talk your doctor: nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; sensitivity to the sun; dark "furry" tongue, black tongue, or swollen tongue; or vaginal yeast infection. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Drug Interactions: Do not take the following drugs within 2 hours of taking tetracycline because they may decrease its effectiveness: cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); antacids containing aluminum or magnesium such as Tums and Rolaids; bismuth subsalicylate in products such as Pepto-Bismol; or minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium, which are found in dairy products (milk, cheese, etc.) and over-the-counter vitamin and mineral supplements. Before taking tetracycline, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin); or another antibiotic. You may not be able to take tetracycline, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. tetracycline may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. Use a second method of birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking tetracycline. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with tetracycline. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a tetracycline overdose include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Storage: Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
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