In case of overdosage, treat symptomatically and institute sup- portive measures.
This drug is contraindicated in persons who have shown hyper- sensitivity to any of the tetracyclines.
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, epigastric distress, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bulky loose stools, stomatitis, sore throat, glossitis, black hairy tongue, dysphagia, hoarseness, enterocolitis, and inflammatory lesions (with candidal overgrowth) in the anogenital region, including proctitis and pruritus ani. Rare instances of 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 medication immediately before going to bed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). These reactions have been caused by both the oral and parenteral administration of tetracyclines but are less frequent after parenteral use.
Skin and Skin Structures: maculopapular and erythematous rashes. Exfoliative dermatitis has been reported but is uncommon. Onycholysis and discoloration of the nails have been reported rarely. Photosensitivity has occurred. (See WARNINGS).
Renal Toxicity: increases in BUN have been reported and are apparently dose-related. (See WARNINGS.)
Hepatic Cholestasis: has been reported rarely, and is usually associated with high dosage levels of tetracycline.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Anaphylaxis; serum sickness-like reactions, as fever, rash, and arthralgia; urticaria, angioneurotic edema, anaphylactoid purpura, pericarditis, exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Hematological: Blood: anemia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, neutropenia and eosinophilia have been reported.
Miscellaneous: Dizziness and headache have been reported.
When given over prolonged periods, tetracyclines have been reported to produce brown-black microscopic discoloration of thyroid glands. No abnormalities of thyroid function are known to occur. Bulging fontanels in infants and intracranial hypertension in adults have been reported. (See PRECAUTIONS-General.)
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of Panmycin '250' and Panmycin '500' Tablets (Tetracycline Hydrochloride Tablets) and other antibacterial drugs, Sum- ycin '250' and Panmycin '500' Tablets (Tetracycline Hydrochloride Tablets) should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.
Tetracycline hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of the following infections:
Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever and the typhus group, Q fever, rickettsial pox and tick fever caused by Rickettsiae.
Respiratory tract infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Lymphogranuloma venereum caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
Psittacosis and ornithosis due to Chlamydia psittaci
Trachoma caused by Chlamydia trachomatis, although the infectious agent is not always eliminated, as judged by immuno- fluorescence
Inclusion conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
Tetracycline hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections in adults caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
Nongonococcal urethritis caused by Ureaplasma urealyticum Relapsing fever due to Borrelia recurrentis
Tetracycline hydrochloride is also indicated for the treatment of infections caused by the following gram-negative microorganisms:
Chancroid caused by Haemophilus ducreyi
Plague due to Yersinia pestis (formerly Pasteurella pestis)
Tularemia due to Francisella tularensis (formerly Pasteurella tularensis)
Cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae (formerly Vibrio comma)
Campylobacter fetus infections caused by Campylobacter fetus (formerly Vibrio fetus)
Brucellosis due to Brucella species (in conjunction with streptomycin)
Bartonellosis due to Bartonella bacilliformis
Granuloma inguinale caused by Calymmatobacterium granulomatis
Because many strains of the following groups of microorganisms have been shown to be resistant to tetracycline hydrochloride, culture and susceptibility testing are recommended.
Tetracycline hydrochloride is indicated for treatment of infections caused by the following gram-negative microorganisms, when bacteriologic testing indicates appropriate susceptibility to the drug:
Escherichia coli
Enterobacter aerogenes (formerly Aerobacter aerogenes)
Shigella species
Acinetobacter species [formerly Mima species and Herellea species]
Respiratory tract infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae
Respiratory tract and urinary tract infections caused by Klebsiella species
Tetracycline hydrochloride is indicated for treatment of infections caused by the following gram-positive microorganisms when bacteriologic testing indicated appropriate susceptibility to the drug:
For upper respiratory infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (formerly Diplococcus pneumoniae)
Skin and skin structure infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Tetracyclines are not the drugs of choice in the treatment of any type of staphylococcal infections
When penicillin is contraindicated, tetracycline hydrochloride is an alternative drug in the treatment of the following infections:
Uncomplicated gonorrhea caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum
Yaws caused by Treponema pertenue
Listeriosis due to Listeria monocytogenes
Anthrax due to Bacillus anthracis
Vincent's infection caused by Fusobacterium fusiforme
Actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces israelii
Infections caused by Clostridia species
In acute intestinal amebiasis, the tetracycline hydrochlorides may be a useful adjunctive therapy to amebicides.
In severe acne the tetracycline hydrochlorides may be useful ad- junctive therapy.
TETRACYCLINE-CLASS ANTIBIOTICS CAN CAUSE FETAL HARM WHEN ADMINISTERED TO A PREGNANT WOMAN. IF ANY TETRACYCLINE IS USED DURING PREGNANCY, OR IF THE PATIENT BECOMES PREGNANT WHILE TAKING THESE DRUGS, THE PATIENT SHOULD BE APPRISED OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE FETUS.
THE USE OF DRUGS OF THE TETRACYCLINE CLASS DURING TOOTH DEVELOPMENT (LAST HALF OF PREGNANCY, INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD TO AGE OF 8 YEARS) MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DISCOLORATION OF THE TEETH (YELLOWISH-GRAY-BROWN).
This adverse reaction is more common during long-term use of the drugs but has been observed following repeated short-term courses. Enamel hypoplasia has also been reported. TETRACYCLINE DRUGS, THEREFORE, SHOULD NOT BE USED DURING TOOTH DEVELOPMENT UNLESS OTHER DRUGS ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE EFFECTIVE OR ARE CONTRAINDICATED.
All tetracyclines form a stable calcium complex in any bone forming tissues. A decrease in fibula growth rate has been observed in young animals (rats and rabbits) given oral tetracycline in doses of 25 mg/kg every six hours. This reaction was shown to be reversible when the drug was discontinued.
Results of animal studies indicate that tetracyclines cross the placenta, are found in fetal tissues and can have toxic effects on the developing fetus (often related to retardation of skeletal development). Evidence of embryotoxicity has also been noted in animals treated early in pregnancy.
The antianabolic action of tetracycline may cause an increase in BUN. While this is not a problem in those with normal renal function, in patients with significantly impaired function, higher serum levels of tetracycline may lead to azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and acidosis. If renal impairment exists, even usual oral or parenteral dose may lead to excessive systemic accumulation of the drug and possible liver toxicity. Under such conditions, lower than usual doses are indicated and, if therapy is prolonged, serum level determinations of the drug may be advisable.
Photosensitivity, manifested by an exaggerated sunburn reaction, has been observed in some individuals taking tetracyclines. Patients apt to be exposed to direct sunlight or ultra-violet light should be advised that this reaction can occur with tetracycline drugs, and treatment should be discontinued at the first evidence of skin erythema.
NOTE: Photosensitization reactions have occurred most frequently with demeclocycline, less with chlortetracycline, and very rarely with oxytetracycline and tetracycline.
PRECAUTIONS GeneralPrescribing Panmycin '250' and Panmycin '500' Tablets (Tetracycline Hydrochloride Tablets) in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of drug-resistant bacteria.
As with other antibiotics, use of this drug may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi. If superinfection occurs, the antibiotic should be discontinued and appropriate therapy instituted. NOTE: Superinfection of the bowel by staphylococci may be life-threatening.
Pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) in adults has been associated with the use of tetracyclines. The usual clinical manifestations are headache and blurred vision. Bulging fon- tanels have been associated with the use of tetracyclines in infants. While both of these conditions and related symptoms usually resolve after discontinuation of the tetracycline, the possibility for permanent sequelae exists.
Since sensitivity reactions are more likely to occur in persons with a history of allergy, asthma, hay fever, or urticaria, the preparation should be used with caution in such individuals.
Cross-sensitization among the various tetracyclines is extremely common.
Incision and drainage or other surgical procedures should be performed in conjunction with antibiotic therapy, when indicated.
Under no circumstances should outdated tetracyclines be administered, as the degradation of tetracyclines are highly nephrotoxic and have, on occasion, produced a Fanconi-like syndrome.
Laboratory TestsDuring long-term therapy, periodic laboratory evaluation of organ system function, including renal, hepatic, and hematopoietic systems, should be performed.
All patients with gonorrhea should have a serologic test for syphilis at the time of diagnosis. Patients treated with tetracycline should have a follow-up serologic test for syphilis after 3 months.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of FertilityLong-term studies conducted in rats and mice to determine whether tetracycline hydrochloride has carcinogenic potential were negative. Some related antibiotics (oxytetracycline, minocycline) have shown evidence of oncogenic activity in rats. In twoin vitro mammalian cell assay systems (L51784y mouse lymphoma and Chinese hamster lung cells), there was evidence of mutagenicity at tetracycline hydro- chloride concentrations of 60 and 10µg/mL, respectively.
Tetracycline hydrochloride had no effect on fertility when administered in the diet to male and female rats at a daily intake of 25 times the human dose.
Pregnancy: Teratogenic effects: Pregnancy Category D (see WARNINGS.)
Pregnancy: Nonteratogenic effects: (see WARNINGS.)
Labor and DeliveryThe effect of tetracyclines on labor and delivery is unknown.
Nursing MothersTetracyclines are present in the milk of lactating women who are taking a drug in this class. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from tetracyclines, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother (see WARNINGS.)
Pediatric UseSee WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.
Adults: usual daily dose is 1 to 2 g: for mild to moderate infections: 500 mg bid or 250 mg qid; higher dosages such as 500 mg qid may be required for severe infections.
For children above eight years of age: usual daily dose is 10 to 20 mg/lb (25 to 50 mg/kg) body weight divided in four equal doses.
Therapy should be continued for at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms and fever have subsided.
The treatment of brucellosis, 500 mg tetracycline four times daily for three weeks should be accompanied by streptomycin, 1 g intramuscularly twice daily the first week and once daily the second week.
For treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea, 500 mg every six hours for seven days.
For treatment of syphilis, a total of 30 to 40 g in equally divided doses over a period of 10 to 15 days should be given. Close follow up, including laboratory tests, is recommended.
Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infection in adults caused by Chlamydia trachomatis: 500 mg by mouth, four times a day for at least seven days.
In cases of severe acne which in the judgment of the clinician, requires long-term treatment, the recommended initial dosage is 1 g daily in divided doses. When improvement is noted, usually within one week, dosage should be gradually reduced to maintenance levels ranging from 125 to 500 mg daily. In some patients it may be possible to maintain adequate remission of lesions with alternateday or intermittent therapy. Tetracycline therapy of acne should augment the other standard measures known to be of value.
In patients with renal impairment (see WARNINGS) total dosage should be decreased by reduction of recommended individual doses and/or by extending time intervals between doses.
In the treatment of streptococcal infections, a therapeutic dose of tetracycline should be administered for at least 10 days.
Concomitant therapy: Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron containing preparations.
Food and some dairy products also interfere with absorption.
Administration of adequate amounts of fluid with the tablet and especially capsule formulations of tetracycline is recommended to wash down the drug and reduce the risk of esophageal irrita- tion and ulceration (see ADVERSE REACTIONS)
