Tetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic used for the treatment of moderate to severe acne. Tetracycline acne antibiotic reduces the papules and pustules (inflammatory lesions) of acne. Tetracycline acne treatment is commonly known as an antibiotic method that is the least expensive with few side effects and is generally well tolerated.
How does tetracycline acne antibiotic work?
Tetracycline acne antibiotic kills bacteria in the follicles and on the skin surface, and act as an anti-inflammatory. Tetracycline acne treatment tends to work in interference with Propionebacterium acnes that feed on sebum created by the sebaceous glands in the skin. Then these bacteria produce waste products which aggravate the sebaceous glands, resulting in inflammation and blemishes.
How well does tetracycline acne antibiotic work?
Tetracycline acne treatment brings about 15-25% improvement in the number of inflamed pimples each month.
How to take tetracycline acne antibiotic?
Tetracycline acne antibiotic must be taken on an empty stomach half an hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Iron supplements and milk products decrease systemic absorption of this antibiotic and pose hindrance to tetracycline acne treatment.
It does not cure acne, but can be effective at high doses for very severe acne, or low doses for less severe acne, in reducing the symptoms. A typical tetracycline acne treatment regimen for moderate to severe acne starts with a dose of 500 to 1000 milligrams a day, which is decreased as improvement occurs. Long-term, low-dose tetracycline acne treatment may be continued for many months to suppress acne. High-dose tetracycline may be prescribed for very severe acne.
When storing tetracycline acne treatment medication, make sure it is in a cool place and out of direct sunlight.
What problems can occur with tetracycline acne treatment?
Tetracycline acne treatment is not preferred in children younger than 8 years of age because they can affect growth and discolor teeth. Tetracycline acne antibiotic should also not be taken by a woman who is pregnant or breast feeding. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it can affect the development of the child’s bones and teeth, leading to skeletal defects. Tetracycline acne treatment can also cause oral contraceptive pills to be less effective in preventing pregnancy.
Sun sensitivity is common with the tetracycline acne treatment. Therefore while taking tetracycline acne antibiotic, you are advised to shun excessive sun exposure, as well as not to use sunlamps and sun beds. Tetracycline acne treatment can also cause stomach upsets such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, including many forms of skin rash.
Most of the friendly bacteria, such as acidophilus, bifidobacteria and bacillus substilis live in the digestive tract where they coat the digestive trace with a protective layer to keep out parasites and bad bacteria. Tetracycline acne treatment kills all these friendly bacteria. Without these ‘friendly bacteria’ the body doesn’t absorb nutrition as effectively and bad bacteria, yeasts and moulds start to grow in your system. This explains why as much as ten percent of female sufferers on tetracycline acne treatment are very likely to develop a yeast infection.
