warning!
tetracycline
(Achromycin, Sumycin, Terramycin,
Theracine, Unimycin)
Tetracycline is an antibiotic of the
tetracycline family. It is used to treat many
infections, including chlamydia, syphilis,
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), kidney
and bladder infections. Doxycycline works
for all the same infections, costs less, and
is easier to take (see page 341).
Important: Tetracycline does not fight
common colds or prevent STIs.
Side effects: If you spend time in the
sun, tetracycline can cause skin rashes.
It may cause diarrhea or upset stomach.
Often comes in: Capsules of 100, 250,
or 500 mg; ointment 1%
tetracycline 353
tetracycline continued
How to use:
For chlamydia, take 500 mg by mouth
4 times a day for 7 days.
For syphilis, take 500 mg by mouth
4 times a day for 14 days.
For PID, take 500 mg by mouth 4 times
a day until fever is gone for 2 days. (For
drug combinations for PID or vaginal
discharge, see page 162.)
For skin infection, take 250 mg by
mouth 4 times a day for 14 days.
For baby eye care, put a little ointment
in each eye at birth, one time only.
Other medicines that may work:
For chlamydia: azythromycin,
doxycycline, erythromycin
For syphilis: benzathine penicillin,
doxycycline, erythromycin
For PID: see page 162
For skin infection: dicloxicillin,
doxycycline, erythromycin, penicillin
For baby eye care: erythromycin
ointment
WARNING: Do not take within
1 hour of eating dairy products or
antacids. Do not use tetracycline
that it has been in the sun a long time
or is past its expiration date. Pregnant
or breastfeeding women should not use
tetracycline.
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007