Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery - Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines
Definition
Tetracyclines are medicines that kill bacteria, which are one-celled disease-causing microorganisms that commonly multiply by cell division. Tetracyclines are also used to treat infections caused by such subcategories of bacteria as rickettsiae and spirochetes.
Tetracyclines are classified as antibiotics , which are chemical substances produced by a microorganism that are able to kill other microorganisms without being toxic to the person, animal, or plant being treated. Some tetracyclines are derived directly from a bacterium known as Streptomyces coelicolor ; others are made in the laboratory from chlortetracycline or oxytetracycline.
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Purpose
Tetracyclines are called “broad-spectrum” antibiotics, because they can be used to treat a wide variety of infections. Physicians may prescribe these drugs to treat eye infections, pneumonia, gonorrhea, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, urinary tract infections, Lyme disease, and other infections caused by bacteria. These drugs are also used to treat acne. The tetracyclines will not work, however, for colds, flu, and other infections caused by viruses.
Description
Tetracyclines are available only with a physician's prescription. They are sold in capsule, tablet, liquid, and injectable forms. Some commonly used medicines in this group are tetracycline (Achromycin V, Sumycin), demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), oxytetracycline (Terramycin), and doxycycline (Doryx, Vibramycin, Vivox).
Tetracyclines have been used for treatment of gum infections in dental surgery. In orthopedic surgery they have been used as markers to identify living bone. The patient is given a tetracycline antibiotic for several weeks prior to surgery. Some of the tetracycline is absorbed into the bone during this period. Since tetracyclines glow under ultraviolet light, this absorption helps the surgeon distinguish the living bone from the dead tissue that must be removed.
Tetracycline may also be mixed with bone cement for prevention of infection in bone surgery. In nasal surgery, tetracycline ointments are used to help prevent postsurgical infections.
Recommended dosage
The recommended dosage depends on the specific tetracycline, its strength, and the disease agent and severity of infection for which it is being taken. Patients should check with the physician who prescribed the drug or the pharmacist who filled the prescription for the correct dosage.
To make sure an infection clears up completely, patients should take the full course of antibiotic medication. It is important to not stop taking the drug just because symptoms begin to improve.
Tetracyclines are most effective at constant levels in the blood. To keep blood levels constant, the medicine should be taken in doses spaced evenly throughout the day and night. It is important to not miss any doses.
These medicines work best when taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. The water will help prevent irritation of the stomach and esophagus (the tube-like structure that runs from the throat to the stomach). If the medicine still causes stomach upset, the patient may take it with food. Tetracyclines should never be taken with milk or milk products, however, as these may prevent the drugs from working properly. Patients should not drink or eat milk or dairy products within one to two hours of taking tetracyclines (except doxycycline and minocycline).
Precautions
The following warnings apply to tetracycline preparations taken by mouth to treat infections; they do not apply to topical ointments or tetracyclines mixed with bone cement. Also, these warnings apply primarily to tetracycline itself. Some members of the tetracycline family, particularly doxycycline and minocycline, have different adverse effects and precautions. Patients should consult their physician or pharmacist about these specific drugs.
Taking outdated tetracyclines can cause serious side effects. Patients should not take these medicines if:
the color, appearance, or taste have changed
the drug has been stored in a warm or damp area
the expiration date on the label has passed
Outdated tetracyclines should be thrown out. Patients should check with their physician or pharmacist if they have any doubts about the effectiveness of their drugs.
Patients should not take antacids, calcium supplements, such salicylates as Magan or Trilisate, magnesium-containing laxatives , or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) within one to two hours of taking tetracyclines. Patients should also not take any medicines that contain iron (including multivitamin and mineral supplements) within two to three hours of taking tetracyclines.
Some people feel dizzy when taking these drugs. Tetracyclines may also cause blurred vision. Because of these possible side effects, anyone who takes these drugs should not drive, use machines or do anything else that might be dangerous until they have found out how the drugs affect them.
Birth control pills may not work properly while tetracyclines are being taken. To prevent pregnancy, women should use alternative methods of birth control while taking tetracyclines.
