Patient leaflet - Oxytetracycline 250 mg tablets
1. What Oxytetracycline Tablets are and what they are used for
These tablets contain the active ingredient, oxytetracycline. Oxytetracycline belongs to a group of medicines called broad spectrum antibiotics. This means that it is active against a large number of bacteria which cause infections.
These include:
- Lung infections such as pneumonia, bronchitis or whooping cough
- Urinary tract infections
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis
- Skin infections such as acne
- Eye infections such as conjunctivitis
- Rickettsial infections such as Q fever or tick fever (severe headache, rash, high fever)
- Other infections including brucellosis (headache, sickness, fever, swollen lymph nodes), psittacosis (headache, nose bleeds, shivering, fever), plague (painful swelling of the lymph nodes), cholera (severe sickness and diarrhoea), leptospirosis (fever causing jaundice or meningitis), gas-gangrene and tetanus (lock jaw).
2. What you need to know before you take Oxytetracycline Tablets
Do not take Oxytetracycline Tablets if:
- You know you are sensitive to the tetracycline group of drugs or allergic to Oxytetracycline (or any other medicine belonging to the tetracycline group of drugs) or you are allergic to any of the other ingredients in this medicine. Allergy is more common in those people who are allergic to aspirin. An allergic reaction may be recognised as a rash, itching, swollen face or lips, or shortness of breath.
- You are suffering from a severe kidney or porphyria or liver complaint
- You suffer from (SLE) systemic lupus erythematosus (an immunological disorder affecting connective tissue and vessels of the skin, nervous system, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and other organs)
- You are pregnant or breast-feeding (unless considered essential by your doctor)
- You are taking vitamin A, or taking retinoids therapy
Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking
Oxytetracycline Tablets if:
- You have any liver problems or if you are taking any drugs which you have been told can cause liver problems
- You have reduced kidney function
You have the disease called myasthenia gravis (these tablets may increase muscle weakness difficulty chewing and swallowing and slurred speech)
Children
Oxytetracycline Tablets should not be taken by children under the age
of 12 years
Other medicines and Oxytetracycline Tablets
Tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are
taking, have recently
taken or might take any
other medicines
especially:
Kaolin-pectin and
bismuth subsalicylate
(to treat diarrhoea)
- Anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting (e.g. warfarin or phenindione)
- Oral contraceptive (Oxytetracycline tablets may make the oral contraceptive pill less effective. You should use additional precautions whilst taking Oxytetracycline tablets and for 7 days after stopping.)
- Penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin, flucloxacillin (to treat infections)
- Antacids (indigestion remedies) or preparations containing aluminium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, bismuth or iron salts, do not take at the same time as Oxytetracycline tablets (which may be included in vitamin and mineral supplements). Allow 2 to 3 hours between taking these and oxytetracycline
- Diuretics (to increase urine production such as furosemide) or any drug you have been told can cause kidney or liver problems
- Methoxyflurane (an anaesthetic). If you need an operation tell your doctor or dentist you are taking oxytetracycline
- Insulin and sulfonylureas such as glibenclamide or gliclazidemineral supplements or antacids (to treat diabetes). Lithium (to treat bipolar disorder, depression) since Oxytetracycline may cause an increase in serum lithium levels when taken at the same time as lithium containing medications
Tests
If you are taking this medicine for a long time your doctor may want to carry out blood, kidney and liver tests. This is quite usual and nothing to worry about.
Oxytetracycline Tablets with food and drink
Do not take this medicine with food, milk or dairy products as they can make this medicine less effective.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine as it could harm the baby.
Driving and using machines
Oxytetracycline 250mg Coated Tablets will not affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Oxytetracycline Tablets contain tartrazine (E102) and lactose
- Tartrazine (E102) may cause allergic reactions.
- If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Information on sodium content
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially sodium free.
3. How to take Oxytetracycline Tablets
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.
The tablets should be swallowed with a full glass of water. Some foods, milk and other dairy products can affect the absorption of this medicine.
The tablets should be taken preferably on an empty stomach (either 1 hour before food or 2 hours after).
Do not take the tablets immediately before going to bed. Avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight as skin reactions may occur.
Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets - Milan Labs
e 11/11/25
Dairy products in particular will adversely affect the absorption of this medicine.
The recommended doses are as follows and are for at least 10 days unless directed otherwise by your doctor:
Adults, the elderly and children over 12 years:
General infections: 1 tablet (250mg) every 6 hours.
You may be given 2 tablets (500mg) initially. For severe infections your doctor may increase your dosage to 2 tablets (500mg) every 6 hours.
Specific infections:
Skin infections: 1-2 tablets (250-500mg) daily either as a single dose or in divided doses for three months.
Brucellosis: 2 tablets (500mg) four times a day with streptomycin.
Sexually transmitted diseases: 2 tablets (500mg) four times daily for between 7 and 30 days depending on your condition.
Children under 12 years old
Oxytetracycline tablets are not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age as it can cause permanent discolouration of tooth enamel and affect bone development.
If you take more Oxytetracycline Tablets than you should
You should contact your doctor or pharmacist straightaway. Take your tablets or the pack with you so that the doctor will know what you have taken.
If you forget to take Oxytetracycline Tablets
If it is more than 2 hours since your dose was due, skip the missed dose and take your next one when it is due.
If you stop taking Oxytetracycline Tablets
Do not stop taking the tablets until the course is finished, even if you feel better, as the infection may return.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some side effects can be serious Stop taking the tablets and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Fever and chest pain (symptoms of inflammation of the membrane around the heart) or breathing difficulties which can lead to collapse (anaphylaxis), a rash, itching or hives on the skin, or sudden swelling of the face and tongue. These are signs of a severe allergic reaction
- Chest pain, breathing difficulties or a dry cough since these might be symptoms of pericarditis (swelling of the heart membrane)
- Headache and visual disturbances including blurred vision, “blind” spots, double vision because these may indicate raised pressure inside the skull
- A skin reaction like sunburn caused (symptoms such as tingling, burning or redness of the skin) by photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight and UV light)
- Other serious skin reactions such as swelling or peeling
- Blood disorders including changes in the number of white or red blood cells which may cause weakness nosebleeds, sore throats infections, excessive tiredness, or breathlessness, pale skin or unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Redness or colour change of the skin, flaky skin, thrush or irritation around your bottom and genital area. If you already suffer from SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) Oxytetracycline tablets may make your condition worse
- Psuedomembraneous colitis (watery diarrhoea, fever and cramps)
- Kidney or liver problems. Symptoms include tiredness, pain in the abdomen or back, difficulty passing urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis with signs of abdominal pain, back pain while feeling sick and fever).
- An over growth of resistant organisms which may cause infection/inflammation
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of the mouth, tongue, intestines and vagina
- Skin rashes, which involve changes to the colour and texture of the skin
The following side-effects have also been reported:
Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
- Inflammation, rash and flaking of the skin.
Rare: may affect up to
1 in 1,000 people
- Swelling or ulceration of the oesophagus (gullet) (particularly, if the tablets are taken with insufficient water at bedtime).
Not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data
- Feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, stomach upsets, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite
- Skin rashes, redness or colour change of the skin
- Swollen tongue, thrush or irritation around your bottom and genital area, inflammation of the intestines
- Discolouration of tooth enamel
- Worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic reaction which causes joint pain, skin rashes and fever).
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Oxytetracycline Tablets
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or label after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package or container and keep tightly closed to protect the tablets from moisture. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Oxytetracycline Tablets contain
Each film coated tablet contains 250mg of the active ingredient, oxytetracycline (as the dihydrate).
Other ingredients are lactose, pregelatinised maize starch, sodium lauril sulfate, gelatin, talc, magnesium stearate, hypromellose (15 cps), polyethylene glycol - 6000, titanium dioxide (E171) and tartrazine yellow (E102).
What Oxytetracycline Tablets look like and contents of the pack
The tablets are round, and have a yellow film coat. They are supplied to your pharmacist in packs of 28 tablets or in containers of 1000 tablets.
Both pack sizes may not be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Crescent Pharma Ltd., Key House, Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, RG21 8SR, UK.
This leaflet was last revised in 11/2025.
If you would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact the Marketing Authorisation holder at the above address.
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