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Tetracycline

Acnedur, Aknecyclin, Aknesilex, Durumex % · ATC code D06AA04

Also known as: Tetracyclin, Tetrasiklin · Brand names: Acnedur, Aknecyclin, Aknesilex, Durumex %, Imex Merhem, Noacne

Key facts
Active substance
Tetracycline
ATC code
D06AA04
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-27

Key facts

Tetracycline is a tetracycline-class antibacterial. Per the US prescribing information, it treats infections caused by susceptible organisms, including respiratory, skin and rickettsial infections, and is used adjunctively in severe acne.

What it is used for

  • Upper and lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible organisms
  • Skin and soft tissue infections
  • Rickettsial infections (e.g. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, Q fever) and psittacosis
  • Further indications, including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, brucellosis and acne, in the full text

Dosing

  • Adults: usual 1 gram daily as 500 mg twice a day or 250 mg four times a day; up to 500 mg four times a day for severe infections.
  • Pediatric patients above eight years: 25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg daily in four equal doses.
  • Streptococcal infections: continue therapy for 10 days.
  • Chlamydia trachomatis infections in adults: 500 mg four times a day for at least seven days.
  • Renal impairment: decrease total dosage; take with adequate fluid.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to any of the tetracyclines

Important warnings

  • Permanent tooth discoloration and enamel hypoplasia with use during tooth development (last half of pregnancy to age 8 years)
  • Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
  • Photosensitivity; discontinue at the first evidence of skin erythema
  • Intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri)
  • Fixed drug eruptions; discontinue immediately for severe skin reactions

Side effects

  • Gastrointestinal: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis
  • Esophagitis and esophageal ulceration, especially when taken just before bed
  • Rashes, onycholysis, hepatotoxicity, increased BUN
  • Hypersensitivity up to anaphylaxis; blood count changes

Interactions

  • Antacids with aluminum, calcium or magnesium, and iron, zinc, sodium bicarbonate, food and dairy reduce absorption
  • Penicillin: avoid concomitant use
  • Anticoagulants: dose may need downward adjustment
  • Oral contraceptives may be less effective; avoid isotretinoin

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Use in the last half of pregnancy may cause permanent tooth discoloration.
  • Nursing: decide whether to discontinue the drug given potential serious reactions in nursing infants.

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Turkey

  • AcnedurADEKA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • AknecyclinBEYMED İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • AknesilexHELBA İLAÇ İÇ VE DIŞ SAN. TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • Durumex %ARGİS İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • Imex MerhemASSOS İLAÇ KİMYA GIDA ÜRÜNLERİ ÜRETİM VE TİC. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • NoacneDİNÇSA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 14 more European countries
Belgium
Tetralysal
Bulgaria
Тетрациклин Абр, Тетрациклин Актавис, Тетрациклин Вижън Антибиотик-Разград
Cyprus
Medocycline
Denmark
Tetracyclin Actavis, Tetracyklin "dak", Tetracyklin Dak, Tetralysal
Finland
Oricyclin
France
Tetralysal
Greece
Muvito, Tetrac, Tracyclin
Italy
Ambramicina, Tetralysal
Luxembourg
Tetralysal
Netherlands
Tetracycline Hcl Cf
Norway
Tetracyclin Actavis, Tetralysal
Poland
Tetracyclinum Chema, Tetracyclinum Tzf
Romania
Tetraciclina Atb, Tetraciclină Arena, Tetraciclină Atb
Sweden
Tetralysal

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. tetracycline hydrochloride (Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2025-03-18. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=eaa5b1bd-0927-46e4-b941-32fcc492d258
  2. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.