Ala-Tet

Generic name: Tetracycline
Drug class: Tetracyclines

Usage of Ala-Tet

Ala-Tet is an antibiotic that fights infection caused by bacteria.

Ala-Tet is used to treat many different bacterial infections of the skin, intestines, respiratory tract, urinary tract, genitals, lymph nodes, and other body systems. This medicine is often used in treating severe acne, or sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia. This medicine is also used to treat infections you can get from direct contact with infected animals or contaminated food.

In some cases, Ala-Tet is used when penicillin or another antibiotic cannot be used to treat serious infections such as Anthrax, Listeria, Clostridium, Actinomyces, and others.

Ala-Tet may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ala-Tet side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Ala-Tet may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

pale or yellowed skin, easy bruising or bleeding;

any signs of a new infection.

Common side effects of Ala-Tet may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite;

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

swollen tongue, black or "hairy" tongue, trouble swallowing;

sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area; or

vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Ala-Tet

You should not use Ala-Tet if you are allergic to Ala-Tet or similar medicines such as demeclocycline, doxycycline, minocycline, or tigecycline.

To make sure Ala-Tet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

liver disease; or

kidney disease.

If you are using Ala-Tet to treat gonorrhea, your doctor may test you to make sure you do not also have syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

Taking this medicine during pregnancy may affect tooth and bone development in the unborn baby. Taking Ala-Tet during the last half of pregnancy can cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.

Ala-Tet can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.

Tetracycline can pass into breast milk and may affect bone and tooth development in a nursing infant. Do not breast-feed while you are taking tetracycline.

Children younger than 8 years old should not take Ala-Tet. This medicine can cause permanent tooth discoloration and can also affect a child's growth.

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How to use Ala-Tet

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Ala-Tet on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Do not take Ala-Tet with milk or other dairy products, unless your doctor has told you to. Dairy products can make it harder for your body to absorb the medicine.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Ala-Tet.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Ala-Tet will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Throw away any unused Ala-Tet after the expiration date on the label has passed. Taking expired this medicine can cause damage to your kidneys.

Warnings

Children younger than 8 years old should not take Ala-Tet.

Using Ala-Tet during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby or cause permanent tooth discoloration later in the baby's life.

What other drugs will affect Ala-Tet

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

any other antibiotic;

isotretinoin (Accutane);

tretinoin (Renova, Retin-A, Vesanoid);

a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);

an antacid or laxative medicine; or

a vitamin or mineral supplement that contains iron, zinc, calcium, or magnesium.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tetracycline, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Popular FAQ

Black hairy tongue is often caused by an overgrowth of papillae (taste buds) on the tongue. It results in a dark, furry appearance of dead skin cells on the surface of the tongue that can be stained from bacteria, food, or tobacco. Although it may be unpleasant, it doesn't usually require medical treatment and it's temporary and harmless. Continue reading

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