Tetracyclines have a broad spectrum of antibiotic action.
Originally, they possessed some level of bacteriostatic activity against almost all medically relevant aerobic and anaerobic bacterial genera, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, with a few exceptions
Tetracyclines remain especially useful in the management of infections by certain obligately intracellular bacterial pathogens such as Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia.
Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and loss of appetite.
Other side effects include poor tooth development if used by children less than eight years of age, kidney problems, and sunburning easily.
Use during pregnancy may harm the baby.
It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetracycline
Use of tetracycline antibiotics can:
- Discolor permanent teeth (yellow-gray-brown), from prenatal period through childhood and adulthood.
Children receiving long- or short-term therapy with a tetracycline or glycylcycline may develop permanent brown discoloration of the teeth.- Be inactivated by calcium ions, so are not to be taken with milk, yogurt, and other dairy products.
- Affect bone growth of the fetus, so should be avoided during pregnancy.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetracycline#Side_effects
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tetracycline-HCl_substance_photo.jpg
