Brodspec

From PharmDatabase.org

Generic name: Tetracycline
Brand names: Brodspec, Emtet, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap
Related Medical Conditions: Acne, Bronchitis, Brucellosis, Clamidiosis, Mycoplasmosis, Pneumonia
Related Groups: Antibiotic

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Brodspec Articles

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Contents 1 What is Brodspec? 2 Brodspec Usage and Dosage 3 Brodspec Side Effects 4 Other Drugs Interaction 5 Brodspec Storage 6 Articles

What is Brodspec?

Tetracycline is in a class of medications called tetracycline antibiotics. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Tetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Tetracycline therefore stops the spread of the infection and the remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die.

Tetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria. However, some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to this antibiotic, which has reduced its effectiveness for treating some types of infection.

Tetracycline is still used to treat infections caused by chlamydia (eg the chest infection psittacosis, the eye infection trachoma, and the genital infection urethritis) and infections caused by mycoplasma organisms (eg pneumonia).

Tetracycline is used to treat acne, due to its activity against the bacteria on the skin that cause acne (Propionebacterium acnes). It is used to treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, due to its activity against the bacteria usually responsible, Haemophilus influenzae.

Tetracycline is also used to treat other rarer infections, such as those caused by a group of micro-organisms called rickettsiae (eg Q fever, Rocky mountain spotted fever) and those caused by Brucella bacteria (brucellosis).

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to tetracycline your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the infected area, or a urine or blood sample.

Brodspec Usage and Dosage

The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules, tablets, or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking a tetracycline.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules and suspension):
  • For bacterial or protozoal infections:
    • Adults and teenagers—250 to 500 milligrams (mg) every six hours; or 500 mg to 1 gram every twelve hours. Gonorrhea is treated with 1.5 grams as the first dose, then 500 mg every six hours for four days.
    • Children older than 8 years of age—Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 6.25 to 12.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (2.8 to 5.7 mg per pound) of body weight every six hours; or 12.5 to 25 mg per kg (5.7 to 11.4 mg per pound) of body weight every twelve hours.
    • Infants and children 8 years of age and younger—Tetracyclines are usually not used in young children because tetracyclines can permanently stain teeth.

• For ointment dosage form:
  • For skin infections:
    • Adults and children—Use one or two times a day.
• For topical solution dosage form:
  • For acne:
    • Adults and children over 11 years of age—Use two times a day, morning and evening.
    • Infants and children up to 11 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage forms:
  • For eye infections:
    • Adults and children—Use every two to four hours.

For patients using the eye ointment form of tetracyclines:

To use: First, wash your hands. Then pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into the pouch. A 1-cm (approximately ⅓-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Gently close the eyes and keep them closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.

To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using tetracyclines eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses.

For patients using the cream form or topical liquid form of this medicine for acne:

The cream or topical liquid form of this medicine will not cure your acne. However, to help keep your acne under control, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. You may have to continue using this medicine every day for months or even longer in some cases. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. It is important that you do not miss any doses.

For patients using the cream form of this medicine for acne:

Do not get this medicine on your clothing since it may stain.

Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap, rinse well, and pat dry.

To use: Apply a thin film of medicine, using enough to cover the affected area lightly. You should apply the medicine to the whole area usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves. This will help keep new pimples from breaking out.

Do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying.

For patients using the topical liquid form of this medicine for acne:

Do not get this medicine on your clothing since it may stain.

This medicine usually comes with patient instructions. Read these instructions carefully before using this medicine. The liquid form contains alcohol and is flammable. Do not use near heat, near open flame, or while smoking.

Do not use after the expiration date on the label. The medicine may not work properly. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions about this. The presence of the floating plastic plug in the liquid means that the medicine has been mixed properly. Do not remove the plastic plug.

It is important that you do not use this medicine more often than your doctor ordered. It may cause your skin to become too dry or irritated.

Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap, rinse well, and pat dry. After washing or shaving, it is best to wait 30 minutes before applying this medicine. The alcohol in it may irritate freshly washed or shaved skin.

You should avoid washing the acne-affected areas too often. This may dry your skin and make your acne worse. Washing with a mild, bland soap 2 or 3 times a day should be enough, unless you have oily skin. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

To use: This medicine comes in a bottle with an applicator tip that may be used to apply the medicine directly to the skin. Use the applicator with a dabbing motion instead of a rolling motion (not like a roll-on deodorant, for example). Tilt the bottle and press the tip firmly against your skin. If needed, you can make the medicine flow faster from the applicator tip by slightly increasing the pressure against the skin. If the medicine flows too fast, use less pressure.

Apply a generous amount of medicine, using enough so that the skin feels wet all over. After applying the medicine with the applicator, use your fingertips to spread the medicine around evenly and rub it into your skin. A second coat may be needed to completely cover the affected areas. Be sure to wash the medicine off your hands afterward. You should apply the medicine to the whole area usually affected by acne, not just to the pimples themselves. This will help keep new pimples from breaking out.

Since this medicine contains alcohol, it will sting or burn. Therefore, do not get this medicine in the eyes, nose, mouth, or on other mucous membranes. Spread the medicine away from these areas when applying. If this medicine does get in the eyes, wash them out immediately, but carefully, with large amounts of cool tap water. If your eyes still burn or are painful, check with your doctor.

The bottle contains about an 8-week supply of medicine if used only on the face and neck or about a 4-week supply if used on the face and neck plus other affected areas. For patients using the topical ointment form of this medicine:

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses .

Do not get this medicine on your clothing since it may stain.

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, do not use it to treat deep wounds, puncture wounds, or serious burns without first checking with your health care professional.

Do not get this medicine in the eyes. Before applying this medicine, thoroughly wash the affected area with warm water and soap, rinse well, and dry completely. After applying this medicine, you may cover the treated area with a gauze dressing if you wish.

Do not give tetracyclines to infants or children 8 years of age and younger unless directed by your doctor. Tetracyclines may cause permanently discolored teeth and other problems in patients in these age groups.

Tetracyclines should be taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water to prevent irritation of the esophagus (tube between the throat and stomach) or stomach. In addition, most tetracyclines (except doxycycline and minocycline) are best taken on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). However, if this medicine upsets your stomach, your doctor may want you to take it with food.

Do not take milk, milk formulas, or other dairy products within 1 to 2 hours of the time you take tetracyclines (except doxycycline and minocycline) by mouth. They may keep this medicine from working properly.

If this medicine has changed color or tastes or looks different, has become outdated (old), or has been stored incorrectly (too warm or too damp area or place), do not use it. To do so may cause serious side effects. Throw away the medicine. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of this medicine:

Use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. Do not use after the expiration date on the label since the medicine may not work properly after that date. Check with your pharmacist if you have any questions about this.

Brodspec Side Effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking tetracycline and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• severe headache, vision changes, or confusion;
• liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or
• blood problems (fever, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding).

If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue to take tetracycline and talk your doctor:

• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight;
• swollen tongue;
• vaginal yeast infection.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Other Drugs Interaction

The following medicines may reduce the absorption of tetracycline from the gut and should not be taken at the same time:

• antacids for heartburn and indigestion containing aluminium, bismuth, calcium or magnesium
• iron tablets, eg ferrous sulphate (the absorption of iron tablets from the gut is also reduced by the tetracycline)
• calcium supplements and dairy products
• colestipol
• kaolin
• quinapril (brand name Accupro, because these capsules also contain magnesium carbonate)
• zinc sulphate.

This medicine may increase the blood-thinning effects of anticoagulant medicines such as warfarin.

If this medicine is taken with acitretin, isotretinoin or tretinoin there may be an increased risk of developing raised pressure within the skull (benign intracranial hypertension), and these combinations should be avoided.

Tetracycline antibiotics may decrease the effectiveness of penicillin antibiotics in the treatment of serious infections such as meningitis and scarlet fever.

If you are taking a combined oral contraceptive pill there may be a very low risk that this antibiotic may make it less effective at preventing pregnancy. Although the risk of this is very low, the personal and ethical consequences of an unwanted pregnancy can be very serious.

Brodspec Storage

Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Keep the oral liquid forms of this medicine from freezing. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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