Antimicrobials
Tetracycline

Tetracycline

N/A
N/A
See below under General Info

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

Hospital Formulary Status Yes (PO solid)

In-Hospital Cost will be updated

PharmaCare Formulary Status Yes (PO solid)

Special Authority None

PharmaCare Coverage 250mg PO - $0.0783/cap

Outpatient Cost 250mg PO - $0.07-0.27/cap

Gastritis (PO)

  • sx: abdominal discomfort, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, esophageal ulcerations and strictures
  • may alter gut flora to cause large bulky stools and diarrhea, which usually subsides after discontinuation
  • patient with continued diarrhea, fever, and rising WBC count should be evaluated for antibiotic-associated diarrhea caused by C. Difficile
  • less risk than tigecycline
  • advise patient to take with plenty of water and not before bedtime

Allergic skin reactions (PO)

  • uncommon: hypersensitivity and photosensitivity reactions (red rash or blistering on areas exposed to the sun)
  • if patient is allergic to one tetracycline, they should be considered allergic to all
  • advise patient to avoid direct sunlight or wearing protective clothing and sunscreen

Teeth and bone toxicity (PO)

  • can cause brown to yellow teeth discoloration in children < 8 years old, which is associated with hypoplasia of enamel
  • discoloration on permanent teeth is dose-related and does not occur in adults
  • may deposit in bone due to chelate formation with calcium
  • avoid in children < 8 years old, but if tetracyclines must be used, doxycycline may be preferred

Hepatotoxicity (PO)

  • rare but can be fatal
  • more common with tetracycline and minocycline
  • less common with doxycycline

Renal failure exacerbation (PO)

  • tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis
  • may exacerbate preexisting renal failure by increasing azotemia from amino acid metabolism

Jarisch-Herxheimer type reaction (PO)

  • can occur in patients with spirochetal infections (syphilis, tick-borne relapsing fever and louse-borne relapsing fever)
  • sx: fever, chills, headache, malaise, muscle aches, leukocytosis and exacerbation of cutaneous lesions
  • prevention: use of tumor necrosis factor antibodies and steroids
  • pretreatment: acetaminophen or meptazinol may reduce the symptoms and duration

Other uncommon ADRs

  • hemolytic anemia
  • thrombocytopenia
  • neutropenia
  • eosinophilia
  • pericardial effusions