Introduction
Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic medicine used to treat bacterial infections in your body. It is effective in some infections of the lungs, urinary tract, eyes, and others. It kills bacteria, which helps to improve your symptoms and cure the infection.
Oxytetracycline is also used to treat many sexually transmitted diseases. It helps to improve your symptoms and cure the underlying infection. It is given as a drip (intravenous infusion) into a vein under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you. You should use this medicine regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Stopping the medicine too early may lead to the infection returning or worsening.
The most common side effects of this medicine include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and skin reaction on exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity). Avoid excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Some people may develop temporary redness or pain at the site of injection. These side effects are usually mild but let your doctor know if they bother you or last more than a few days.
Before using it, you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics or have any liver or kidney problems. You should also let your doctor know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult their doctor before using it.
Side effects of Oxytetracycline
Common
- Photosensitivity
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
How to use Oxytetracycline
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Oxytetracycline works
Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic. It stops bacterial growth by preventing synthesis of essential proteins required by bacteria to carry out vital functions.
Indication
Acne, Susceptible infections, Uncomplicated gonorrhoea
Administration
Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take on an empty stomach 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals.
Adult Dose
Oral
Susceptible infections
Adult: 250-500 mg 4 times daily. Max 4 g daily.
Acne
Adult: 250-500 mg bid.
Uncomplicated gonorrhoea
Adult: 1.5 g initially, followed by 0.5 g four times daily up to a total of 9 g per treatment course.
Intramuscular
Susceptible infections
Adult: 250 mg once daily or 300 mg daily in 2-3 divided doses.
Child Dose
Oral
Susceptible infections
Child: >8 yr: 25-50 mg/kg daily in 4 divided doses.
Intramuscular
Susceptible infections
Child: >8 yr: 15-25 mg/kg (max 250 mg) daily in 2-3 divided doses.
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Dosage may need to be reduced.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to tetracyclines, children <8 yr, renal damage. Pregnancy, lactation.
Mode of Action
Oxytetracycline binds reversibly to the 30S and possibly 50S ribosomal subunits, thus inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis and arresting cell growth. It is active against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.
Precaution
Elderly, renal or hepatic impairment; myasthenia gravis; lupus erythematosus, children <12 yr.
Side Effect
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting,diarrhoea, glossitis, dysphagia, photosensitivity, oesphageal irritation and ulceration, nephrotoxicity, enterocolitis, rash (rare), blood dyscrasias. Headache, visual disturbances; intracranial hypertension; bulging fontanelles (infants).
Potentially Fatal: Rare. Fulminant diarrhoea in post operative patients.
Interaction
Antacids, iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, zinc salts reduce absorption. Concurrent use may cause increased levels of lithium, digoxin, halofantrine and theophylline; decreased concentrations of atovaquone. Increased risk of ergotism with ergot alkaloids. May cause failure of oral contraception.
Potentially Fatal: Interferes with anticoagulant control. Nephrotoxic effects exacerbated by diuretics, methoxyflurane or other nephrotoxic drugs; avoid concurrent use with potentially hepatotoxic drugs. Increased incidence of benign intracranial hypertension with retinoids.