Tetracycline

Tetracycline (INN) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by the streptomyces bacterium, indicated for use against many bacterial infections. It is commonly used to treat acne. It is sold under the brand names Sumycin®;, Tetracyn®; and Panmycin®, among others. Actisite® is a thread-like fiber form, used in dental applications. It is also used to produce several semi-synthetic derivatives, which together are known as the Tetracycline antibiotic group. It works by inhibiting action of the prokaryotic 30S ribosome. Toxicity may be result of inactivation of mitochondrial 30S ribosomes in host cells.

History

Tetracycline was first discovered by Lloyd Conover in the research departments of Pfizer. The patent for Tetracycline was first issued in 1955 (patent number 2,699,054). Tetracycline sparked the development of many chemically altered antibiotics and in doing so has proved to be one of the most important discoveries made in the field of antibiotics.

Cautions, Contraindications, Side effects

Are as those of the Tetracycline antibiotics group:

  • Can stain developing teeth
  • Inactivated by Ca+2 ion, not advised to be taken with milk or yogurt
  • Skin photosensitivity, not advised to be exposed to the Sun or intense light
  • Drug induced lupus, and hepatitis
  • Tinnitus

    • Indication

    Tetracycline's primary use is for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea.

    It is also used to treat a very wide range of infections; see Tetracycline antibiotics for details.

    Other uses

    Since tetracycline is absorbed into bone, it is used as a marker of bone growth for biopsies in humans, and as a biomarker in wildlife to detect consumption of medicine- or vaccine-containing baits. The presence of tetracyline in bone is detected by its fluorescence.

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