Tetracycline

What is tetracycline?

Tetracycline is a medicine called an antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent certain types of infections caused by the germs called bacteria.

How should you give your child tetracycline?

Follow these instructions when giving your child tetracycline:

• Give your child tetracycline for as long as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, even if your child seems better. Talk to your child's doctor before you stop giving tetracycline for any reason.
  
• Give your child tetracycline at the same times every day, exactly as your child's doctor or pharmacist tells you. Pick a time that is easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
  
• Give your child tetracycline on an empty stomach with a full glass of water 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food. Do not give your child this medicine with milk or products made of milk, such as yogurt or cheese.
  
• If tetracycline upsets your child's stomach, give your child tetracycline with crackers or bread.
  
• If your child is taking liquid tetracycline, shake the bottle well, then give your child their medicine using the special spoon or syringe the pharmacist gave you.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of tetracycline?

If your child misses a dose of tetracycline:

• Give your child the missed dose as soon as you remember.
  
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give your child the next dose at the regular time. Give your child only one dose at a time.

What are the possible side effects of tetracycline?

Your child may have some side effects while they take tetracycline. Usually your child will not need to see the doctor about them. These side effects may go away as your child's body gets used to tetracycline.

Check with your child's doctor if your child has any of these signs or symptoms and they do not go away or they bother your child:

• stomach cramps
  
• an upset stomach or throwing up
  
• watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
  
• a black tongue; this problem will go away after your child stops taking the medicine

Most of these side effects are not common, but they may be signs of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away if your child has any of these signs:

• a rash, itchy skin, or hives (raised, red, itchy areas on the skin)
  
• a swollen face
  
• problems breathing
  
• a new fever or a fever that does not get better
  
• chills
  
• severe watery diarrhea
  
• a severe reaction to the sun
  
• white spots the size of the head of a pin on the tongue or in the mouth

What other important information should you know about tetracycline?

• Tell your child's doctor if your child has ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to tetracycline or any other medicines.
• Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before you give your child any other medicine, even medicines that you can buy without a doctor's order (prescription).
• Do not give your child stomach medicines called antacids, laxatives, iron, zinc, or vitamins with minerals at the same time as tetracycline. These medicines can affect how well tetracycline works. Instead, wait at least 2 hours after your child takes the tetracycline before giving them these medicines.
• Tetracycline may make your child's skin more likely to sunburn. Make sure your child covers their skin and head with clothing and a hat. Or use a strong sunscreen (a cream that protects the skin from the sun). Look for a sunscreen that says it protects against the sun's ultraviolet rays, called UVA and UVB rays. The sunscreen should have a sun protection factor, called SPF, of at least 15. Ask your pharmacist to help you pick the right sunscreen.
• Do not give your child tetracycline if they are less than eight years old. It may stain their teeth forever because the teeth are still growing.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Throw away any tetracycline that you have not used. Throw away any tetracycline that is out of date. Old tetracycline can cause serious problems with the kidneys.
  

Keep tetracycline out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much tetracycline, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.