Article: Tetracycline

This article deals with the specific antibiotic called Tetracycline. For the group of antibiotics known as the Tetracyclines, see Tetracycline antibiotics.

Tetracycline
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-(amino-hydroxy-methylidene)-4-dimethylamino- 6,10,11,12a-tetrahydroxy-6-methyl-4,4a,5, 5a-tetrahydrotetracene-1,3,12-trione OR 4-(dimethylamino)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6,11,12a-octahydro- 3,6,10,12,12a-pentahydroxy- 1,11dioxo-naphthacene-2carboxamide
Identifiers
CAS number	60-54-8
ATC code	A01AB13 D06AA04 J01AA07 S01AA09 S02AA08 S03AA02
PubChem	643969
DrugBank	APRD00572
Chemical data
Formula	C22H24N2O8
Mol. weight	444.435 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	<40% (Intramuscular) 100% (Intravenous) 60-80% (Oral, while fasting)
Metabolism	Not metabolised
Half life	6-11 hours
Excretion	Fecal Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	D: (USA) D: (AUS)
Legal status	Prescription only
Routes	Dermal Intramuscular Intravenous Opthalmic Oral

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by the streptomyces bacterium, indicated for use against many bacterial infections. It is commonly used to treat acne. It is sold under the brand names Sumycin®;, Tetracyn®; and Panmycin®, among others. Actisite® is a thread-like fiber form, used in dental applications. It is also used to produce several semi-synthetic derivatives, which together are known as the Tetracycline antibiotic group. It works by inhibiting action of the prokaryotic 70S ribosome. Toxicity may be result of inactivation of mitochondrial 70S ribosomes in host cells.

History

Tetracycline was first discovered by Lloyd Conover in the research departments of Pfizer. The patent for Tetracycline was first issued in 1955 (patent number 2,699,054). Tetracycline sparked the development of many chemically altered antibiotics and in doing so has proved to be one of the most important discoveries made in the field of antibiotics.

Cautions, Contraindications, Side effects

Are as those of the Tetracycline antibiotics group:

1. Can stain developing teeth

2. Inactivated by Ca⁺² ion, not advised to be taken with milk or yogurt

3. Skin photosensitivity, not advised to be exposed to the Sun or intense light

Indication

Tetracycline's primary use is for the treatment of acne vulgaris and rosacea.

It is also used to treat a very wide range of infections; see Tetracycline antibiotics for details.

Other uses

Since tetracycline is absorbed into bone, it is used as a marker of bone growth for biopsies in humans, and as a biomarker in wildlife to detect consumption of medicine- or vaccine-containing baits. The presence of tetracyline in bone is detected by its fluorescence.