Green Pages Where There Is No Doctor 2011 355
TETRACYCLINES:
WIDE-RANGE ANTIBIOTICS
Tetracycline (tetracycline HCI,
oxytetracycline, etc.)
(Familiar but expensive brand: Terramycin)
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
Capsules of 250 mg. or 500 mg.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
mixture, 125 mg. in 5 ml.
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
eye ointment at 1%
Price:_________________ for_ ___________________
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics;
that is, they fight a wide range of different kinds of
bacteria. Tetracycline should be taken by mouth, as
this works as well and causes fewer problems than
when it is injected.
Tetracycline can be used for:
diarrhea or dysentery caused by bacteria
or amebas
sinusitis
respiratory infections
typhus
brucellosis
cholera
trachoma
chlamydia
pelvic inflammatory disease
stomach ulcers
syphilis
Tetracycline does no good for the common cold.
For many common infections it does not work as
well as penicillin or sulfas. It is also more expensive.
Its use should be limited.
Risks and Precautions:
1. Pregnant women should not take tetracycline,
as it can damage or stain the baby’s teeth and
bones. For the same reason, children under 8
years old should take tetracycline only when
absolutely necessary, and for short periods only.
Use erythromycin instead.
2. Tetracycline may cause diarrhea or upset
stomach, especially if taken for a long time.
3. It is dangerous to use tetracycline that is ‘old’ or
has passed the expiration date.
4. For the body to make the best use of
tetracycline, milk or antacids should not be
taken within 1 hour before or after taking
the medicine.
5. Some people may develop a skin rash after
spending time in the sun while taking tetracycline.
Dosage for tetracycline (20 to 40 mg./kg./day)—
capsules of 250 mg. and mixture of 125 mg.
in 5 ml.
Give tetracycline by mouth 4 times a day.
In each dose give:
adults: 250 mg. (1 capsule)
children 8 to 12 years: 125 mg.
(½ capsule or 1 teaspoon)
children under 8 years: As a general rule,
do not use tetracycline—instead use
cotrimoxazole or erythromycin.
If there is no other choice, give:
children 4 to 7 years: 80 mg.
(1⁄3 capsule or 2⁄3 teaspoon)
children 1 to 3 years: 60 mg.
(¼ capsule or ½ teaspoon)
babies under 1 year: 25 mg.
(1⁄10 capsule or 1⁄5 teaspoon)
newborn babies (when other antibiotics
are not available): 8 mg. (1⁄30 capsule or
6 drops of the mixture)
In severe cases, and for infections like
chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, cholera,
typhus, stomach ulcers, and brucellosis, twice
the above dose should be given (except to small
children).
For most infections, tetracycline should be
continued for 1 or 2 days after the signs of infection
are gone (usually 7 days altogether). For some
illnesses, longer treatment is needed: typhus 6 to
10 days; brucellosis 2 to 3 weeks; chlamydia
7 days; pelvic inflammatory disease 10 to 14 days.
Cholera usually requires a shorter treatment: 3 to
5 days.
For use in the eyes, see p. 378.
Doxycycline
(familiar brand name: Vibramycin)
Name:_________________________________________
Often comes in:
capsules or tablets of 100 mg.
Price:_________________ for_ _________
ampules with 100 mg. for injection
Price:_________________ for_ _________
Doxycycline is an expensive form of tetracycline
that is taken twice a day instead of 4 times a
day. When available, it can be used for the same
illnesses as tetracycline. Doxycycline can be
taken with food or milk. Otherwise, the risks and
precautions are the same as for tetracycline
(see p. 355).