Tetracycline

Tetracycline, sold under various brand names, is an <a href="/facts/Antibiotic/sF1kIfxg">antibiotic</a> in the <a href="/facts/Tetracyclines/IQx9gYrE">tetracyclines</a> family of medications, used to treat a number of <a href="/facts/Infections/182XrncP">infections</a>, including <a href="/facts/Acne_vulgaris/TKJxhHSd">acne</a>, <a href="/facts/Cholera/rk8JfWEp">cholera</a>, <a href="/facts/Brucellosis/Cq445r85">brucellosis</a>, <a href="/facts/Plague_(disease)/4r7oe5lC">plague</a>, <a href="/facts/Malaria/rN3g58CX">malaria</a>, and <a href="/facts/Syphilis/fdnGLyLT">syphilis</a>. It is available in oral and topical formulations.
Common side effects include vomiting, <a href="/facts/Diarrhea/6TBHaRdA">diarrhea</a>, rash, and loss of appetite. Other side effects include poor <a href="/facts/Tooth/Wc6IqwVf">tooth</a> development if used by children less than eight years of age, <a href="/facts/Kidney_problems/gsqb5nos">kidney problems</a>, and <a href="/facts/Sunburn/Ff6gMYHA">sunburning</a> easily. Use during <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> may harm the baby. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria.
Tetracycline was patented in 1953 and was approved for prescription use in 1954. It is on the <a href="/facts/World_Health_Organization%2527s_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. Tetracycline is available as a <a href="/facts/Generic_medication/IF6AXDVX">generic medication</a>. Tetracycline was originally made from bacteria of the genus <a href="/facts/Streptomyces/xupjSFmJ">Streptomyces</a>.

Tetracycline open-in-new

Tetracycline