Tetracycline Antibiotics

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum polyketide antibiotic produced by the Streptomyces genus of Actinobacteria, indicated for use against many bacterial infections. Its mode of action is by protein synthesis inhibition.

Medical Use

As a broad-spectrum antibiotic it was generally used in the treatment of infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, and the intestines.
The use of Tetracycline has declined in recent years, due to the onset of antibiotic resistance. Despite this, it remains the treatment of choice for some specific indications.

Today, it is commonly used to treat moderately severe acne , and more recently, rosacea, and played a historical role in stamping out cholera in the developed world.

Tetracyclines act bacteriostatically on grampositive (e.g. staphylococci and streptococci) and gramnegative bacteria (eg, brucella, campylobacter, and neisseria).
Its efficacy in combating some problematic pathogenic germs are of particular importance. Tetracyclines remain the treatment of choice for infections caused by:

  • Chlamydia (trachoma, psittacosis, salpingitis, urethritis and L. venereum infection)
  • Mycoplasma (pneumonia, urethritis, vaginitis)
  • Rickettsia (typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever)
  • Brucellosis and spirochetal infections (borreliosis, syphilis and Lyme disease)
  • Some tetracyclines also have clinical efficacy against plasmodium (malaria) and against mycobacteria (tuberculosis, leprosy)
  • In addition, they may be used to treat anthrax, plague, tularemia and Legionnaires' disease.
  • They are also used in veterinary medicine

Mode of action

It is used to treat many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and some protozoa.
The tetracycline inhibits (like macrolides, lincosamides, aminoglycosides and chloramphenicol) protein biosynthesis at the bacterial ribosomes. They prevent the attachment of the aminoacyl tRNA to the acceptor sites of the 30S subunit of the ribosomes and thus the extension of the peptide chain. In turn, the bacteria can not create any proteins (although, it can "live" for a while with the ones, it had produces before being exposed to tetracycline). However, it cannot replicate, since this requires a plethora of newly synthesized proteins.
The low toxicity to humans can be explained by the selectivity for bacterial ribosomes against eukaryotic ribosomes.

Side effects

The side effects of the tetracycline are due in particular to their strong calcium-binding properties. Tetracycline should not be used in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children during the growth phase because they are incorporated into the bones and teeth, which leads to yellowing of the teeth, increased caries and increased bone fractures, especially in newborns. Tetracycline passes into the mother's milk.

Due to their broad spectrum of activity they also decimate the natural colonization flora of the bowel relatively strongly and not infrequently lead to colitis as well as changes in the vaginal microbial flora.

Most Common Side effects

Important note: this list is not complete! In case of any unusual signs, immediately consult your doctor!

  • Discolor permanent teeth (yellow-gray-brown), from infancy and childhood to eight years old and adulthood
  • Skin photosensitivity, so exposure to the sun or intense light is not recommended
  • Drug-induced lupus, and hepatitis
  • Microvesicular fatty liver
  • Tinnitus
  • Can cause breathing complications, as well as anaphylactic shock, in some individuals

Administration

When ingested, it is usually recommended that the more water-soluble, short-acting tetracyclines (e.g. plain tetracycline, chlortetracycline, Oxytetracycline, demeclocycline and methacycline) be taken with a full glass of water, either two hours before or after eating.
This is partly because most tetracyclines bind easily with magnesium, aluminum, iron and calcium (all of which are abundant in a normal diet) and is thereby deactivated by these ions.
Partial exception to this rule applies for doxycycline and minocycline, which may be taken with food.
Dairy products and (mineral) supplements should be avoided during the treatment.

Tetracycline hydrochloride is a yellow crystalline, odorless powder, and often incorporated into Tetracycline hydrochloride ointment for topical administration.

Pharmacokinetics

Doxycycline and minocycline are usually absorbed in the intestine by more than 90% (tetracycline: 80%). They are excreted in both urine and feces at high concentrations in a biologically active form (since it is not metabolised) mainly via the bile, but also via the kidneys with a half-life of 15 h (tetracycline: 9 h).

Dosage

For doxycycline the dose range for adults is usually between 100 and 200 milligrams per day, and for children about 2 mg/kg body weight.

Drug Interactions

Since bacteriostatic drugs (like tetracycline) may interfere with the action of bactericidal drugs (like penicillin), it is advisable NOT to combine these antibotics.

Natural Tetracyclines:

Synthetic Tetracyclines:

Doxycycline and minocycline are semi-synthetic derivatives which can be prepared from oxytetracycline.

  • Doxycycline
  • Lymecycline
  • Meclocycline
  • Methacycline
  • Minocycline
  • Rolitetracycline
  • Tigecycline

According to duration of action:

  • Short-acting (Half-life is 6-8 hrs)
    • Tetracycline
    • Chlortetracycline
    • Oxytetracycline
  • Intermediate-acting (Half-life is ~12 hrs)
    • Demeclocycline
    • Methacycline
  • Long-acting (Half-life is 16 hrs or more), only to be used once or twice daily

    Tigecycline may also be considered a tetracycline antibiotic, though it is usually classified as a glycylcycline antibiotic.

    History

    The tetracyclines are a large family of antibiotics that were discovered as natural products by Benjamin Minge Duggar (Aureomycin, in 1945).
    However, Nubian mummies have been studied in the 1990s and were found to contain significant levels of tetracycline; there is evidence that the beer brewed at the time could have been the source.
    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.

    Price

    The price of tetracycline rose from $0.05 per 250 milligram pill in 2013 to a whopping $4 a pill in 2015. Such a price change (which exceeds 1,000 percent) is a relatively new phenomenon for generic drugs.

    Brands

    It is marketed under the brand names Sumycin, Tetracyn, Lymecycline, and Panmycin, among others. Actisite is used for for periodontal pocket placement and consists of a 23 cm (9 inch) monofilament of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, 0.5 mm in diameter, containing 12.7 mg of evenly dispersed tetracycline hydrochloride.

    FAQ

    What if I miss a dose?

    If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

    How should I take this medicine?

    Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Take it on an empty stomach, 30 or 60 minutes before a meal. Do not crush or cut open the capsules. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

    Where can I keep my medicine?

    Keep out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

    What about side effects?

    Report any side effects to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible.

    Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

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