Tetracyclines

Encyclopedia of Medicine, Apr 06, 2001 by Nancy Ross-Flanigan

• Diabetes
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease.

Taking tetracyclines with certain other drugs may affect the way the drugs work or may increase the chance of side effects.

The most common side effects are stomach cramps or a burning sensation in the stomach, mild diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. These problems usually go away as the body adjusts to the drug and do not require medical treatment. Less common side effects, such as sore mouth or tongue and itching of the rectal or genital areas also may occur and do not need medical attention unless they do not go away or they are bothersome.

Other rare side effects may occur. Anyone who has unusual symptoms during or after treatment with tetracyclines should get in touch with his or her physician.

Tetracyclines may interact with other medicines. When this happens, the effects of one or both of the drugs may change or the risk of side effects may be greater. Anyone who takes tetracyclines should let the physician know all other medicines he or she is taking. Among the drugs that may interact with tetracyclines are:

• Antacids
• Calcium supplements
• Medicines that contain iron (including multivitamin and mineral supplements)
• Laxatives that contain magnesium
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid)
• Salicylates such as Magan and Trilisate
• Penicillins
• Birth control pills.