Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets

What Is Oxytetracycline?

Oxytetracycline is an antibiotic used to treat skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. 

It is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic medicine that has an antibacterial action, which is why it is effective at treating acne and other conditions.

Oxytetracycline comes in the form of tablets. It is taken orally and is suitable for adults and children over the age of 12.

What Does Oxytetracycline Treat?

Oxytetracycline is a common treatment for acne and rosacea.

Acne is the common name for acne vulgaris. It is a skin condition caused by the blocking of hair follicles and is characterised by whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. Acne is common in teenagers, but people of all ages can have acne.

Rosacea, another skin condition treated by Oxytetracycline, causes flushing and redness of the skin, as well as visible blood vessels in your face. Rosacea can sometimes be responsible for small, pus-filled bumps on the skin.

Oxytetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means it can also be used to treat other types of bacterial infections such as chest infections, mouth infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It has also been used to treat infections transmitted by lice and ticks, including typhus, Q fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

How Does Oxytetracycline Work?

Oxytetracycline treats acne and rosacea by killing the bacteria associated with causing spots. The medicine stops the bacteria from producing the proteins it needs to grow and multiply. 

By decreasing the number of bacteria, Oxytetracycline can help to stop acne and rosacea infections from spreading or worsening. The bacteria that remain after treatment with Oxytetracycline will be killed by the immune system or die naturally, allowing the skin to heal.

How Long Does Oxytetracycline Take To Work?

The recommended treatment period for acne is 8 - 12 weeks. This is enough time for Oxytetracycline to fight the infection and improve the condition of your skin. If acne has persisted after your course of Oxytetracycline tablets, you should consult your doctor. They may recommend that you try an alternative acne treatment.  

For rosacea, you can expect to see significant improvements after a few weeks of taking Oxytetracycline. A review is typically recommended around six to eight weeks after you start the treatment. 

When Oxytetracycline is prescribed as an acne treatment, your doctor may also recommend that you use a topical cream at the same time, which you would apply to affected areas of your skin. 

Some people may need to take Oxytetracycline for two years or more if they have severe acne.

Oxytetracycline and Pregnancy

It is not recommended that you take Oxytetracycline if you are pregnant, or may be pregnant. 

Using Oxytetracycline early in pregnancy, or during the second or third trimester may lead to problems. An epidemiologic study has linked first-trimester use of Oxytetracycline with neural tube defects, cardiovascular malformations and cleft palate. In general, the tetracycline group of antibiotics — which Oxytetracycline is part of — are understood to cause tooth discolouration when given in the second half of pregnancy, as well as in the neonatal period. 

Oxytetracycline has not been found to affect hormonal contraceptives (such as the contraceptive pill), but if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting when using Oxytetracycline, this may make your contraceptive pill less effective. If you do get diarrhoea or are vomiting, follow the instructions in the patient information leaflet that you receive when you buy Oxytetracycline tablets.

The use of Oxytetracycline is also not advised if you are breastfeeding.

Oxytetracycline and Alcohol

You can drink alcohol while you are taking Oxytetracycline, as there is no evidence that it impacts the effectiveness of the treatment.

However, you should note that if you are feeling side effects from Oxytetracycline, drinking alcohol is not a good idea. Side effects such as an upset stomach or headache may be intensified by drinking alcohol.

Oxytetracycline vs Lymecycline

Like Oxytetracycline, Lymecycline is from the tetracycline group of antibiotic medicines. 

Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotic compounds with a common structure and are a subclass of polyketides. They were discovered in the 1940s and are valued for their ability to combat microorganisms including bacteria, mycoplasmas, chlamydiae and protozoan parasites. 

Both Oxytetracycline and lymecycline antibiotics are effective treatments for acne and come in tablet form. Like Oxytetracycline, lymecycline can also be used to treat other bacterial infections such as chest infections and STIs. They are found in a similar price range. 

A significant difference between Oxytetracycline and Lymecycline is how the body absorbs them. Lymecycline can be absorbed better with food, unlike Oxytetracycline, which should be taken on an empty stomach. The recommended dosage of Lymecycline to treat acne is one 300 mg tablet, once per day, rather than twice daily as per the Oxytetracycline dosage. The side effects of the two medicines can also differ.

Lymecycline and Tetralysal — the branded version of Lymecycline — are both available at Cloud Pharmacy.

Oxytetracycline Reviews

On the whole, Oxytetracycline reviews are very positive. 

Reviewers have commented online that after a few months of using Oxytetracycline, they noticed their acne clearing and improvements in their skin. 

Users have described a gradual process, with the first improvement being no new spots occurring, followed by the spots disappearing, until eventually, the skin becomes clear. 

Among the side effects felt by users were headaches and moderate sensitivity to sunlight.

Oxytetracycline Over the Counter

In the UK, you can’t buy Oxytetracycline over the counter. 

In order to purchase Oxytetracycline, you require a prescription. Your suitability for Oxytetracycline will need to be assessed before your doctor issues you with a prescription. This can be done in a consultation. 

You can buy Oxytetracycline here at Cloud Pharmacy. Simply start your consultation today — by clicking ‘Start Consultation’ on this page — and buy Oxytetracycline UK-wide.

Our online prescriber can assess your suitability for Oxytetracycline and issue a prescription for you to buy Oxytetracycline online. We can then dispense your Oxytetracycline tablets promptly and dispatch them to you through our next-day delivery service.

How to Take Oxytetracycline

You should always take Oxytetracycline exactly as your GP or pharmacist has recommended. You can also follow the instructions that come in the Oxytetracycline Patient Information Leaflet.

Below are some directions on how to take Oxytetracycline:

• Take Oxytetracycline tablets on an empty stomach, at least an hour before you eat, or two hours after you eat 
• Don’t take Oxytetracycline at the same time as food, or any dairy products, as this can prevent the medicine
• from being absorbed sufficiently by the body 
• Swallow Oxytetracycline tablets whole with water while sitting down or standing 
• Avoid taking Oxytetracycline right before bed
• It is not recommended that you crush the tablets

In the two-hour window before or after taking Oxytetracycline, you shouldn’t take any indigestion medication or medicines that contain aluminium, iron, zinc, calcium or magnesium. This is because these medicines might disrupt absorption by the body and make Oxytetracycline less effective.

If you miss a dose, do not double-up on a dose to make up for the one you have missed.

Oxytetracycline Dosage for Acne

The normal dosage of Oxytetracycline for acne or rosacea is 500 mg (two 250 mg Oxytetracycline tablets) taken twice per day — once in the morning, and once in the evening. 

Acne treatment will usually continue for three months or more. Your doctor will give you instructions on your Oxytetracycline dosage.

If you miss an Oxytetracycline dose, you should take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next dose. If your next dose is nearly due, you should skip the missed dose and take the next dose as normal. You shouldn’t take a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Oxytetracycline Side Effects

Oxytetracycline can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. 

Among the potential side effects of Oxytetracycline are:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Colitis (inflammation of the bowel)
• Candida (a yeast) overgrowth that can cause infections like thrush
• Jaundice and other liver disorders
• Blood disorders
• Raised pressure in the skull which can lead to headaches and blurred vision

Serious side effects from Oxytetracycline are rare. If you are concerned or experiencing any of the symptoms above (or any other Oxytetracycline side effects not listed), speak to your GP. Likewise, if you experience any allergic reactions — such as swelling of the lips, tongue or face, or a skin rash — you should seek immediate medical help.

Oxytetracycline may not be suitable for you if you:

• Have pseudotumor cerebri (a condition that involves high fluid pressure in the brain)
• Have diarrhoea from a Clostridium difficile bacterial infection
• Are pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Have liver problems
• Have decreased kidney function

Always make sure you inform your doctor or pharmacist if any of the above apply to you. If you are unsure whether Oxytetracycline is suitable for you, speak to your doctor — they will be able to give you further guidance.

Oxytetracycline Patient Information Leaflet

For more information on Oxytetracycline medication, take a look at the patient information leaflet below:

• Oxytetracycline Patient Information Leaflet

• How does Oxytetracycline work?

  Acne is caused by bacteria on the skin, which Oxytetracycline works to treat by interfering with the bacteria’s ability to grow and multiply.

• What are the benefits of taking Oxytetracycline?

  Acne can have both physical and mental effects, with spots often causing pain and irritation as well as embarrassment and self-consciousness. Treating acne simply and efficiently with Oxytetracycline, allows patients to feel good again.

• How do I use Oxytetracycline?

  Oxytetracycline is a prescription-only medication. Always follow the advice of your doctor and read the patient information leafletprovided in the medication packet.

  Take the tablets by swallowing whole with a drink of water, either 1 hour before food or 2 hours after. Dairy products will directly affect how much this medicine is absorbed though, so try to avoid consumption of it. Also be sure not to take these tablets directly before going to bed.

• How do I buy Oxytetracycline online?

  You can safely buy Oxytetracycline online at Cloud Pharmacy. You will first need to have an online consultation with our medical prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Oxytetracycline is the right medication for your medical condition.

• Does acne return after the Oxytetracycline treatment has finished?

  Always complete the course, as not finishing the course could mean that the bacteria may not have been eliminated and could return. Once acne has been cleared, there is still a chance that not having Oxytetracycline in your system may cause bacteria to return.

• When do I stop taking Oxytetracycline?

  Only stop the treatment on your doctor’s advice, as stopping before this could cause the return of a much more severe infection. Even if your skin looks clear, it is vital that all antibiotic treatments are taken up to the end of their prescribed course.

• How long can this medication take to treat acne?

  The usual recommended duration of treatment is 8-12 weeks. This time is required to ensure that you have given it a chance to fight the infection.

  If your acne persists after your course of antibiotics, you may benefit from an alternative treatment.

• Is wearing makeup advisable when using Oxytetracycline?

  There is no problem in wearing makeup, but choose products that are not greasy or oil-based, as these can worsen your acne.

• Does Oxytetracycline work quickly?

  It takes up to six months to clear acne, but severe cases could take up to two years. If you do not notice an improvement within the first three months, you should consider a different treatment option.

• Can I drink alcohol whilst on Oxytetracycline?

  Yes - alcohol does not affect the efficacy of this medicine.