How does it work?
Oxytetracycline is a type of antibiotic called a tetracycline. It is used to treat infections with bacteria.

Oxytetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Oxytetracycline therefore stops the spread of the infection and the remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die.

Oxytetracycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic that is active against a wide variety of bacteria. However, some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to this antibiotic, which has reduced its effectiveness for treating some types of infection.

Oxytetracycline is still used to treat infections caused by chlamydia (eg the chest infection psittacosis, the eye infection trachoma, and the genital infection urethritis) and infections caused by mycoplasma organisms (eg pneumonia).

Oxytetracycline is used to treat acne, due to its activity against the bacteria on the skin that cause acne (Propionebacterium acnes). It is used to treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, due to its activity against the bacteria usually responsible, Haemophilus influenzae.

Oxytetracycline may also used to treat other rarer infections, such as those caused by a group of micro-organisms called rickettsiae (eg Q fever). To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to oxytetracycline your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the infected area, or a urine or blood sample.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhoea.
• Difficulty swallowing or pain swallowing.
• Throat irritation.
• Loss of appetite.
• Skin reactions such as rash or itching.
• Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity).
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Raised pressure within the skull (consult your doctor if you get a severe persistant headache, or double or blurred vision while taking this medicine).
• Liver disorders (consult your doctor if you experience yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) while taking this medicine).
• Blood disorders (consult your doctor if you experience bruising, sore throats or infections while taking this medicine).
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.