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Tetracyclines 💊
⚠️ Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children <12 years (crosses placenta, stains teeth and bone). 🚫 Contraindicated in acute porphyria.
📖 About
Always check the BNF link here.
- 💊 Classic tetracycline antibiotic – bacteriostatic.
- 🔗 Binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit → inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.
⚙️ Action
- 🌍 Broad-spectrum coverage (Gram+ / Gram– / atypicals).
- 🚫 Crosses the placenta → not safe in pregnancy.
- 🦷 Deposits in teeth and bone → permanent staining and enamel hypoplasia in children.
💉 Indications / Dose
- 🧬 Chlamydial infections.
- 🦟 Rickettsial infections (e.g. Q fever).
- 🐄 Brucellosis (with streptomycin or rifampicin).
- 🕷️ Lyme disease.
- 🫁 COPD exacerbations.
- 🐀 Leptospirosis.
- 💊 Dose: 250–500 mg QDS (every 6 hours) PO for 7–14 days depending on infection.
🔄 Interactions
- 🥛 Milk, antacids, and iron compounds chelate tetracycline in the gut → markedly reduce absorption. ⚠️ Advise patients to avoid taking with dairy or supplements.
⚠️ Cautions / Contraindications
- 🚫 Pregnancy.
- 🚫 Children under 12 years (teeth and bone staining).
- 🚫 Breastfeeding.
- 🚫 Renal impairment (risk of accumulation).
- 🚫 Acute porphyria.
💥 Side Effects
- 🤢 GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, antibiotic-associated colitis.
- 🌡️ Dermatological: rash, dermatitis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome.
- 🧠 Neurological: idiopathic intracranial hypertension (rare).
- 🧪 Hepatic: hepatotoxicity, pancreatitis.
- 🦷 Dental staining and hypoplasia (children).
📚 Reference
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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