Tetracycline

Tetracycline is a widely used oral antibiotic that can treat many infections, including cholera, plague, malaria, syphilis, and acne. Possible common side effects associated with the use of tetracycline include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and skin rashes. Other side effects may include increased sensitivity to sun exposure, kidney problems, and stunted tooth development when taken by younger children. Doctors also advise against using tetracycline during pregnancy, which can harm the fetus. Tetracycline has been commercially used since 1978 and is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.

Tetracycline acts against a broad spectrum of bacteria types, though this spectrum has narrowed with acquired antibiotic resistance among some types of bacteria. However, tetracycline remains effective against many bacterial pathogens. It is also commonly used to treat peptic ulcers, which are caused by bacterial infections, and against some eukaryotic parasites. Tetracycline works by blocking protein-making abilities in bacteria. Tetracycline may also be used as a biomarker to mark bone growth in human biopsies.

Long-term use of tetracycline may permanently discolor the teeth; when used in children, shorter term treatments may also lead to tooth discoloration. Tetracyclines are inactivated by calcium, aluminum, iron, and zinc ions, and they should therefore not be taken with products or medications containing these elements. Tetracycline can also lead to skin photosensitivity, lupus, hepatitis, fatty liver, tinnitus, breathing complications, anaphylactic shock, and it can stunt fetal bone growth. Bioavailability in breast milk is low, and short-term use during breastfeeding is safe.

Naturally occurring tetracyclines were discovered in 1948 by American plant physiologist Benjamin Minge Duggar and were first prescribed that same year. In 1950, Harvard University professor R.B. Woodward patented the production of synthesized tetracycline, shortly thereafter, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals also filed a patent application for tetracycline. Tetracycline is now marketed under many different brand names and is also available as a generic prescription antibiotic. The tetracycline family includes doxycycline and minocycline.

While long-term use in children can discolor deciduous teeth, tetracycline also offers powerful protection against the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gingivitis. It may be used in conjunction with other antibiotics, like metronidazole. Although some dental health professionals may prescribe oral tetracycline in pill form, there are also topical applications of tetracycline and other antibiotics that may be preferred. Tetracycline may be administered as a thin fiber, similar to dental floss, that can be packed between the tooth and gum to reduce pocket depth and destroy bacteria. Sometimes these tetracycline fibers are left in place for up to 10 days, enhancing their antibacterial effects. For periodontal purposes, tetracycline can be particularly beneficial because it blocks the protein that destroys connective tissue, in addition to its antibiotic benefits. Topical applications may be preferable for certain patients, as these applications do not introduce tetracycline to the entire body. These applications are particularly useful following a dental root planing and scaling procedure, which cleans the teeth beneath the gum line. Topical tetracycline used in these applications can reduce inflammation and periodontal pockets, and it can slow the development of new bacterial plaque.