Oxytetracycline is the tetracycline antibiotic, used to treat bacterial infections. It interferes with the production of bacterial protein, affecting the growth and development of bacteria and stopping the progress of the infection.
Some bacteria are resistant to this medication and doctor will take a sample of the infection and make sure it reacts to the antibiotic.
This antibiotic can be used to treat many different bacterial infections, but it’s mostly used in Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infections. Also, oxytetracycline can be used to treat acne, dental infections, and chronic cases of bronchitis. Some rare infections, such as Q fever, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis are treated with this medication too.
Be Aware
This medicine is supposed to be used on an empty stomach, with some water. Usually it is administered one hour before or two hours after the meal. Using this drug with some food may affect the absorption and prevent the full effect of antibiotics.
Do not stop the treatment before you finish the prescribed course of antibiotics. If you do, the infection may come back and be resistant to the drug.
Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic and it may cause colitis (inflammation of the bowel). Any case of severe diarrhea might be connected to this symptom and should be reported to the doctor.
This medication is known to cause sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight and sunlamps while using this antibiotic.
Side Effects
The most common side effects among the patients using oxytetracycline are: nausea, vomiting, abdominal and swallowing problems. Some patients reported throat irritation, appetite loss, inflammation and photosensitivity.
Some more serious adverse effects associated with the oxytetracycline use might be blood and liver problems. Consult your doctor if you happen to experience bruising, infections or yellowing of your eyes or the skin. Also, there were cases of persistent headaches and vision problems. These patients have developed raised pressure within the skull while using oxytetracycline.
Interactions with Other Drugs
It is important to report every medication and remedy you have been using to your doctor. This drug may interact with many other medications, so consult your doctor about all medicine you want to use, while on oxytetracycline therapy.
Some drugs affect the absorption of this tetracycline antibiotic. The use of these medications should be limited to three hours before or after oxytetracycline. Such drug are: antacids and other drugs containing aluminium, zinc, calcium or magnesium, iron medications, kaolin, sucralfate, ranelate, ranitidine abismuth citrate and tripotassium dicitrato Bismuthate.
If used with anticoagulants (blood thinners), retinoin, isoretinoin, aciretrin or methysergide oxytetracycline may increase the risk of side effects.
Oxytetracycline used with contraceptive pills could lead to decrease of pregnancy protection. Women are advised to use extra methods of contraception while on antibiotic treatment and up to a week after the treatment.
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