Patient leaflet - Tetracycline 250 mg tablets
1. What Tetracycline Tablet is and what it is used for
These tablets contain the active ingredient, tetracycline hydrochloride. Tetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic which means it is effective against a variety of infections and organisms caused by bacteria. Tetracycline Tablets are used to treat a wide range of infections susceptible to tetracycline. These include chronic bronchitis; pneumonia or whooping cough, urinary tract infections (e.g cystitis) and urethritis (inflammation of the tube which passes urine from the body) both which result in pain and difficulty urinating; severe acne; and venereal diseases such as syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea; infections of the eye 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); tetracycline may also be used to treat leptospirosis (fever, causing jaundice or meningitis), gasgangrene and tetanus - (lock jaw).
2. What you need to know before you take Tetracycline Tablet
Do not take Tetracycline Tablet:
- If you are allergic to Tetracycline Hydrochloride, other similar antibiotics (e.g. minocycline or doxycycline), or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (Listed in Section 6)
- If you have had liver or kidney problems for a long time or have severe kidney disease
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you suffer from the condition systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is an allergic condition which causes joint pain, rash (especially on the face), hair loss, malaise and fever.
Tetracycline should not be taken by children under the age of 12 years as it can cause permanent discolouration of growing teeth or poor growth of tooth enamel and affect bone development.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tetracycline Tablets.
- If you suffer from myasthenia gravis. This is a condition which causes muscle weakness, difficulty chewing and swallowing and slurred speech
- If you suffer from porphyria
- If you have kidney or liver disease
- If you are sensitive to sunlight
Other medicines and Tetracycline Tablet
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
- Anti-coagulants to stop the blood clotting (e.g. warfarin or phenindione)
- The contraceptive pill. If you vomit or get diarrhoea, or if you lose blood when you are not expecting a period, your pill may not work properly and you will need to use other means of contraception e.g. a condom. You should use additional contraceptive precautions whilst taking Tetracycline tablets and for 7 days after stopping
- Ulcer healing drugs (e.g. sucralfate and tripotassium dicitratcbismuthate)
- Ergotamine or methysergide (to treat or prevent migraine)
Atovaquone (to treat pneumocystis pneumonia)
- Vitamin A
- Retinoids to treat acne and psoriasis (e.g. tretinoin, isotretinoin and acitretin)
- Antacids (indigestion remedies), any other medicines containing iron, calcium, bismuth, magnesium, aluminium or zinc salts (which may be included in vitamin and mineral supplements). Do not take at the same time as Tetracycline Tablet, as absorption of tetracycline may be reduced and tetracycline may reduce the absorption of zinc and oral iron
- Medicines to treat diabetes e.g. insulin, glibenclamide or gliclalide
- Diuretics (water tablets) e.g. furosemide
- Lithium to treat mental illness, bipolar disorder and depression
- Digoxin to treat heart problems, an uneven heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Kaolin-pectin and bismuth subsalicylate (to treat diarrhoea)
- Strontium ranelate (to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis)
- Quinapril tablets which contain magnesium carbonate (to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure)
- Methotrexate (a cancer drug which can also be used to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis)
Penicillin antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin,
phenoxymethylpenicillin (to treat infections)
- Colestipol or colestyramine (taken to lower the amount of fats in your blood)
- Oral typhoid vaccine as the vaccine may be inactivated by tetracycline hydrochloride. The vaccine and Tetracycline Tablet should not be taken within 3 days of each other
- Methoxyflurane (an anaesthetic). If you need an operation tell your doctor or dentist you are taking Tetracycline Tablet
- You are taking drugs which you have been told can cause liver or kidney problems. Medicines which can damage your liver (check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if this applies to any medicines you are taking)
Other special warnings
Avoid exposure to strong sunlight or UV light (sunbeds), as you may experience photosensitivity reactions (e.g. skin rash, skin discomfort or easier burning). Consult your doctor if you notice any of these reactions.
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.
Tetracycline Tablet with food and drink
Do not take the tablets at the same time as milk or food, as they can make the medicine less effective.
Pregnancy and breast feeding
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 tetracycline hydrochloride could harm the baby.
Driving and using machines
Tetracycline Tablets should not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Tetracycline Tablet contains:
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’. The tablet colouring contains Sunset Yellow (E110) which 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 the tablets as they contain lactose and sucrose.
3. How to take Tetracycline Tablet
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The tablets should be swallowed with a good drink of water. Some foods, milk and other dairy products can affect the absorption of this medicine. The tablets should be taken preferably 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Swallow the tablets when standing or sitting down, do not take them immediately before going to bed.
The recommended dose is
For at least 10 days unless otherwise directed by your doctor:
Adults, Elderly and Children 12 years or over:
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 500mg (2 tablets) 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 a day for between 7 and 30 days depending on your condition.
Children under 12 years old:
Tetracycline 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 Tetracycline Tablet than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include feeling or being sick, crystals or blood in the urine, hypersensitivity reactions.
If you forget to take Tetracycline Tablet
If you have missed a dose you should take it within 2 hours of your usual time. 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. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Tetracycline Tablet
Do not stop treatment early as your infection may return if you do not finish the course of tablets. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible Side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Tetracycline Tablet and tell your doctor straightaway if you notice the following effects:
- Inflammation of the pancreas causing pain and tenderness in the abdomen and back (pancreatitis)
- Symptoms of an allergic reaction: skin rash which may be itchy, swelling of your face, eyelids, lips or tongue, sudden wheezing, chest pain or tightness, breathing difficulties, collapse.
- Chest pain, breathing difficulties, collapse or a dry cough since these may be symptoms of pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart)
- Symptoms of raised pressure in the skull: severe or persistent headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears, visual problems including blind spots, double vision and blurred vision or in infants a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on the head), because these may indicate raised pressure inside the skull
- Worsening of the condition SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
- A skin reaction like sunburn caused by photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight and UV light)
- Symptoms of a severe skin rash: this may include blisters or ulcers, swelling of skin, peeling, redness or discolouration, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome (symptoms are fever, blisters on the skin, eyes, mouth and genitals)
- Severe or prolonged diarrhoea which may have blood or mucus in it during or after treatment with Tetracycline Tablet, as this may be a sign of serious bowel inflammation
- A decrease in or loss of vision/eyesight.
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare (affects fewer than 1 in 1,000 people)
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or liver failure or jaundice (symptoms may include yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, confusion, reduced conciousness, pale stools or dark urine), transient increases in liver function test values (detected in blood tests)
- Swollen ankles or high blood pressure (caused by inflammation of the kidney (nephritis), sudden kidney failure (symptoms may include decrease or total loss in the amount of urine you produce)
- Increased levels of urea, phosphates or acid in the blood or changes in the numbers and types of your blood cells. If you notice increased bruising, nosebleeds, sore throats, infections, excessive tiredness, breathlessness on exertion or abnormal paleness of the skin, you should tell your doctor who may want you to have a blood test
- Blood disorders including increased number of eosinophils (detected in blood tests), and severe reduction in the number of white or red blood cells which may cause fever or chills, severe fatigue, weakness, painful ulceration in the mouth, vagina or rectum, stomach ache, pale skin
- Swelling or ulceration of the oesophagus (gullet), particularly if the tablets are taken with insufficient water or at bedtime, difficulty swallowing
Hearing disturbances.
Not Know (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Neurological disorder called cerebellar syndrome, which symptoms can include difficulties in coordinating movements, speaking and/or walking, involuntary movement of the eyes, and shaking. It may resolve upon stopping the treatment.
- inflammation of the heart (pericarditis)
- Inflamation of the tongue or mouth, intestines or pancreas (causing discomfort or pain in the abdomen)
- Colitis (inflammation which causes abdominal pain, fever or diarrhoea)
- Kidney problems, or worsening of symptoms in patients who already have kidney problems (symptoms may be an increase or decrease in the amount of urine you produce or a change in frequency of passing urine, swelling in the legs or ankles), increased levels of urea in the blood
- Vaginal discharge, irritation or discomfort, thrush or irritation around your bottom and genital area
- Increased muscle weakness if you suffer from Myasthenia Gravis
- Feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, discolouration of tooth enamel
- Headache, dizziness
- Fatty liver (causes tiredness, discomfort in your upper abdomen)
- Swollen tongue, sore or swollen mouth, sore throat
- Discoloured thyroid tissue (no changes in thyroid function are known to occur)
- If you suffer from SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus) Tetracycline Tablets may make your symptoms worse
- Redness or colour change of the skin, raised, itchy, blistered or flaky skin, sensitivity to sunlight
Additional side effects in children Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
- bulging fontanelles in infant (raised pressure in the skull)
- thinning or low amount of tooth enamel
Reporting of side effects:
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via 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 Tetracycline Tablet
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
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 use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton or label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not use this medicine if you notice any visible signs of deterioration.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, please take any unused medicine back to your pharmacist to be destroyed.
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 Tetracycline Tablet contains:
Each coated tablet contains 250 mg of tetracycline hydrochloride as the active ingredient.
The tablets also contain lactose, alginic acid, pregelatinised maize starch, sodium laurilsulfate, talc, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate, sucrose, titanium dioxide (E171) and dispersed yellow Containing sunset yellow (E110).
What Tetracycline Tablet looks like and contents of the pack
The tablets are round and have an orange sugar coat. They are supplied to your pharmacist in packs containing 28, 100 or 1000 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be available.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
The product licence holder is RxFarma,
Colonial Way, Watford, WD24 4YR.
Manufacturer: Surepharm Services Ltd.
Bretby, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE15 OYZ. UK.
This leaflet was last revised in August 2026
If you would like this leaflet in a different format, please contact the licence holder at the above address. Continued, please turn over