Tetracycline is a medicine prescribed to fight bacteria in the body. It is used for the treatment of such infections as acne, gonorrhea, chlamydia and urinary tract infections, as well as for other purposes if recommended by your health care provider. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as tetracycline has been reported to harm an unborn baby. It can also make birth control pills less effective. Tetracycline can make your hormonal birth control pills less efficient, which means you should consider using a second non-hormonal method of birth protection. Tetracycline is generally well tolerated but at the beginning of the treatment you can experience such mild side effects as vaginal itching or discharge, swollen tongue, sores or white patches inside your mouth, mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset.

Tetracycline is known to make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Make sure you avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you have to stay outside for a long time use a sunscreen (SPF 15) and wear protective clothing. If you have to take iron supplements, antacids, laxatives, multivitamins take them two hours before or after tetracycline. Do not take this medicine past its expiry date as it can cause permanent damage to your kidneys.