Consumer Information for: TETRACYCLINE

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for
  • TETRACYCLINE is used to treat infections that are caused by certain types of bacteria.
  • Antibacterial drugs like TETRACYCLINE treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

What it does

TETRACYCLINE works to:

  • Stop growth of bacteria.
  • Kill the bacteria.
  • Reduce the infection in your body.
When it should not be used

Do not use TETRACYCLINE if:

  • you are allergic to this drug or to any ingredient in TETRACYCLINE
  • you are allergic to other similar antibiotics (i.e. minocycline or doxycycline).
  • you have liver or severe kidney disease.
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
TETRACYCLINE should not be used for certain infections if your child is under 12 years old.
What the medicinal ingredient is

TETRACYCLINE

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

: D&C YELLOW #10, D&C Yellow 10 Aluminum Lake, FD∓C Yellow#6, FD&C BLUE #1, FD&C BLUE #2 Indigo Carmine Aluminum Lake, FD&C RED #40, Gelatin, iron oxide black, propylene glycol, stearic acid, Talc and titanium dioxide.

What dosage form it comes in

TETRACYCLINE Capsules 250 mg

Warnings and precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take TETRACYCLINE. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • have kidney disease.
  • have allergies, hives, hay fever or asthma.
Other warnings you should know about:

TETRACYCLINE may increase your sensitivity to sunlight and may cause exaggerated sunburns. Avoid exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light while taking TETRACYCLINE.

TETRACYCLINE may cause tooth discolouration (yellow, gray, brown) in children with developing teeth. TETRACYCLINE may also cause other issues with the enamel (the hard protective layer) of your child’s teeth.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication

The following may interact with TETRACYCLINE

  • Anti-coagulants to stop the blood clotting (e.g. warfarin)
  • Penicillin (used to treat infections)
  • Medicines that reduce the amount of stomach acid (antacids). These medicines will reduce the amount of TETRACYCLINE that your body absorbs.
  • Medicines to treat acne such as retinoids.
  • Methoxyflurane (used to relieve pain).
  • Do not take the TETRACYCLINE capsules at the same time as milk or food, as they can make the medicine less effective.
  • Tetracycline may reduce the effect of oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
Proper use of this medication

How to take TETRACYCLINE:

  • Although you may feel better early in treatment, TETRACYCLINE should be used exactly as directed.
  • Misuse or overuse of TETRACYCLINE could lead to the growth of bacteria that will not be killed by TETRACYCLINE (resistance). This means that TETRACYCLINE may not work for you in the future.
  • Do not share your medicine.
  • Take TETRACYCLINE 1 hour before or 2 hours after meal.

Usual Dose

1-2 capsules 4 times per day.

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much TETRACYCLINE, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control center immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take TETRACYCLINE capsules, take the dose as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the right time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking TETRACYCLINE. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects include:

  • Black hairy tongue
  • Discoloration of the nails
  • Increase sensitivity to sunlight

Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist only if severe Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist in all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Skin
Flaking or peeling of the skin (Uncommon)   ✔  
Loosening or separation of a fingernail or toenail (Rarely)   ✔  
Renal
Allergic
Angioedema and Serious Allergic Reactions (including anaphylaxis): swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing; sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching or hives on the skin, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing     ✔
Gastrointestinal
Inflammation of the bowel causing severe or prolonged diarrhoea which may have blood or mucus in it     ✔
Miscellaneous
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): abdominal pain that lasts, pain may spread out towards the back, nausea, vomiting     ✔
Hepatic cholestasis (a liver disease) (Rarely): nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, light coloured bowel motions, dark coloured urine     ✔

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store

Preserve the Tetracycline capsules in tight, light-resistant containers.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following three ways:

  • Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
  • Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
  • Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
    • Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
    • Mail to:
      Canada Vigilance Program
      Health Canada
      Postal Locator 0701E
      Ottawa ON K1A 0K9

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffectTM Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

If you want more information about TETRACYCLINE:

This leaflet was prepared by AA Pharma Inc.

Last revised: January 28, 2019

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