Oxytetracycline tablets is an antibacterial medicine. This means that it stops infections caused by germs (bacteria). Oxytetracycline tablets is prescribed as a treatment for chest infections such as pneumonia, and also for some mouth infections. It is also prescribed for infections resulting from some types of bites, and some sexually transmitted infections. Oxytetracycline is also prescribed for some longer-term skin conditions, such as acne and rosacea.
Oxytetracycline inhibits cell growth by inhibiting translation. It binds to the 30S ribosomal subunit and prevents the amino-acyl tRNA from binding to the A site of the ribosome. The binding is reversible in nature. Oxytetracycline is lipophilic and can easily pass through the cell membrane or passively diffuses through porin channels in the bacterial membrane.
Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking oxytetracycline it is important that your doctor (or dentist) knows:
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If so, you should not take oxytetracycline.
If you are under 12 years of age. Oxytetracycline should not be given to children.
If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have any problems with the way your kidneys work.
If you have an inflammatory condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (also called lupus, or SLE), or if you have a condition causing muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis. Oxytetracycline can make these conditions worse.
If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.
If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.
Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about oxytetracycline, and will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.
Take oxytetracycline exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you have an infection it is likely you will be asked to take one or two tablets every six hours, and if you are being treated for acne or rosacea, the usual dose is two tablets twice daily. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you which dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what was said to you.
Try to take your doses around the same times of day each day. This will help you remember to take them regularly. Space out your doses evenly throughout the day.
Take the tablets when your stomach is empty. This means taking your doses one hour before you eat food, or waiting until two hours after you have eaten. It is also important that you do not drink milk within two hours (either before or after) of taking oxytetracycline. This is because both food and milk can reduce the amount of medicine absorbed by your body, making it less effective in fighting infection.
Swallow the tablets with a large drink of water. Try to avoid taking oxytetracycline just before lying down, or at bedtime.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
