Tetracycline is a tetracycline-class antimicrobial sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for acne vulgaris, bartonella infections and borrelia infections. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
From the FDA label for Tetracycline Hydrochloride (application ANDA060290). Other tetracycline products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
Adults: Usual daily dose, 1 gram as 500 mg twice a day or 250 mg four times a day. Higher doses such as 500 mg four times a day may be required for severe infections or for those infections which do not respond to the smaller doses. For pediatric patients above eight years of age: Usual daily dose, 10 mg/lb to 20 mg/lb (25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg) body weight divided in four equal doses. Administration of adequate amounts of fluid with the capsule formulation of tetracycline is recommended to wash down the drug and reduce the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Absorption of tetracycline is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and preparations containing iron, zinc or sodium bicarbonate. Food and some dairy products also interfere with absorption. When used in streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for 10 days. For treatment of brucellosis, 500 mg tetracycline four times a day for three weeks accompanied by streptomycin, 1 gram intramuscularly twice daily the first week and once daily the second week. For the treatment of syphilis in patients allergic to penicillin, the following dosage of tetracycline is recommended: early syphilis (less than one year’s duration), 500 mg four times a day for 15 days. Syphilis of more than one year’s duration (except neurosyphilis), 500 mg four times a day for 30 days. For…
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, epigastric distress, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, black hairy tongue, dysphagia, enterocolitis, and inflammatory lesions (with Candida overgrowth) in the anogenital region. Esophagitis and esophageal ulceration have been reported in patients receiving particularly the capsule and also the tablet forms of tetracyclines. Most of the patients were reported to have taken medication immediately before going to bed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Teeth: permanent discoloration of teeth may be caused during tooth development. Enamel hypoplasia has been reported (see WARNINGS ). Skin: maculopapular and erythrematous rashes. Exfoliative dermatitis has been reported. Onycholysis and discoloration of the nails have been reported. Photosensitivity is discussed in WARNINGS . Renal Toxicity: an increase in BUN has been reported and is dose related. Liver: hepatotoxicity and liver failure have been observed in patients receiving tetracycline and in tetracycline-treated patients with renal impairment. Hypersensitivity Reactions: urticaria, angioneurotic edema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid purpura, pericarditis, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, and serum sickness-like reactions, as fever, rash, and arthralgia. Blood: hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, neutropenia and eosinophilia have been reported. When given over…
Dairy, calcium, iron & antacids
Separate the antibiotic from dairy, supplements, and antacids by a couple of hours — take it at the interval the label or your pharmacist specifies.
Tetracycline — MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine) ↗Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Typical price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $18 | View → | |
| 2 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Fiber | Generic | $18 | View → |
Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.
| Imprint | Strength | Colour | Shape | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aptalis;BMT | 140 mg / 125 mg / 125 mg | white | capsule | — |
| BMT | 140 mg / 125 mg / 125 mg | white | capsule | — |
| PAR;440 | 140 mg / 125 mg / 125 mg | white | capsule | — |
| BMT | 140 mg / 125 mg / 125 mg | white | capsule | — |
| 5266 | 500 mg | orange, yellow | capsule | — |
| B906 |
A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
This drug is contraindicated in persons who have shown hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines.
| 3 | Not yet rated | Prescription | Capsule | Generic | $18 | View → |
| 250 mg |
| blue, yellow |
| capsule |
| — |
| B907 | 500 mg | blue | capsule | — |
|---|
| 5266 | 500 mg | orange, yellow | capsule | — |
|---|