Tetracycline: How Should I Take Tetracycline

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

How should I take tetracycline?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take tetracycline with a full glass of water (8 ounces).

Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

Do not take tetracycline 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. To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Tetracycline will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. Do not give this medicine to another person, even if they have the same condition you have.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking tetracycline. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Throw away any unused tetracycline when it expires or when it is no longer needed. Do not take any tetracycline after the expiration date printed on the label. Using expired tetracycline can cause damage to your kidneys.

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

Last updated:	February 21, 2008