Terramycin (Oxytetracycline) is a prescription drug that belongs to the family of tetracycline antibiotics. Bacteria synthesizes and releases proteins into the body of humans and animals to cause infections. Terramycin, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, acts by inhibiting the synthesis of these bacterial proteins. When we say that Terramycin (Oxytetracycline) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, we imply that it can kill a wide range of bacteria.
Uses and Forms of Terramycin
Terramycin can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections as a single drug or in conjunction with other drugs. It comes in different forms, more commonly as opaque gelatinous capsules containing oxytetracycline hydrochloride. Also, it comes in the form of ointments for the skin and the eyes.
Indications for Terramycin
Oxytetracycline is used for infections that are caused by these organisms:
- Haemophilus ducreyi (causative agent of Chancroid)
- Bartonella bacilliforms
- Vibrio species (e.g., Vibrio cholerae)
- Brucella species, usually with streptomycin
- Mycoplasma species
- Spirochetes
- Causative agents of ornithosis and psittacosis
- Causative agents of granuloma inguinale and lymphogranuloma vereneum
Following the results of appropriate drugs sensitivity testing, Terramycin can be used in the treatment of these gram-negative organisms:
- Escherichia coli
- Shigella species
- Klebsiella species implicated in both respiratory and urination tracts
- Haemophilus influenza (respiratory tract infections)
- Enterobacter species
- Mina species
- Herella species
Terramycin is also indicated for a wide range of gram-positive organisms following drug sensitivity testing. Some of these gram-positive organisms include:
- Diplococcus pneumonia
- Staphylococcus aureus (those implicated in soft tissue and skin infections)
It can also be used as an alternative in cases when there is a contraindication of penicillin in infections caused by:
- Listera monocytogenes
- Bacillus anthracis
- Neisseria gonorrhea
- Fusibacterium fusiforme
- Treponema species (including Yaws and Syphilis)
- Clostridium species
- Actinomyces species
Terramycin can also be used in parasitic and fungal infections. It is used as an adjuvant therapy with amebicides in amoebic dysentery. It is also used for severe acne.
Additionally, Terramycin can be used to treat Trachomas and conjunctivitis. Having this knowledge does not mean you should start taking Terramycin without your doctor’s prescription.
Contraindications
Terramycin is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to its active ingredients as well as those who have hypersensitivity to other tetracyclines. Terramycin is not used to treat streptococcus infections except those in which the drug was found to be effective following drug sensitivity testing.
Terramycin Drug Interactions
Terramycin (Oxytetracycline) interacts with over 173 drugs, some mineral supplements, and some pathologic conditions. It interacts with:
- Antihypertensives like amlodipine and tipranavir.
- Some antibioticstics like cephalexin, clindamycin, and meropenem.
- Analgesics like tylenol (acetamenophen) and diclofenac.
- Antifungal agents like fluconazole.
Oxytetracycline interacts moderately with iron and calcium supplements. It also interacts with laxatives and antacids and should not be taken within two hours of consuming these drugs.
Terramycin is known to interact with the following pathologic conditions:
- Colitis
- Hemodialysis
- Hepatotoxicity
- Esophageal irritation and
- Kidney dysfunction
For more information about the comprehensive list of drugs that Terramycin interacts with, you can consult your doctor or healthcare provider.
Terramycin Dosages
As stated earlier, Terramycin (oxytetracycline) is a prescription medicine that should be taken as directed by your physician. The dose to be taken is dependent on the severity of the infection and the judgment of your physician.
In general, for adults, 250 mg intramuscular injections once daily or 300mg divided into equal doses in either 8 or 12-hour periods is taken. Children who are at least 8 years old usually require 15 to 25 mg per kilogram but not more than 250 mg for one daily injection. The pediatric dose can also be divided such that it can be administered 2 or 3 times a day in 12 or 8-hour periods.
Intramuscular injection of Terramycin can cause depression in blood levels when compared with oral administration of the recommended doses. Patients who are on IM oxytetracycline should therefore be switched to oral capsules if a rapidly increased blood level is required.
Special considerations should be given to patients with kidney impairment by decreasing the doses and increasing the interval between each administration. Oral capsules for children above 8 years of are usually 25-50mg/kg body weight divided into equal doses 6 hourly up to 24 to 48 hours even after their fever symptoms have subsided.
For the therapy of syphilis, 30 – 40 gr in equally separated by portions should be taken 4 times daily for a 2 weeks period.
For the treatment of Brucellosis, 500mg of Terramycin should be taken four times daily for a period of 21 days. To improve its efficacy, it should be accompanied by 1 gram IM streptomycin twice daily on the first day, followed by 1mg IM streptomycin once daily for 14 days.
For the cure of uncomplicated gonorrhea, in case if penicillin is prohibited, 1.5g is initially given, followed by 500mg four times a day, but not exceeding 9 grams.
Overdosage
There are few or no cases of overdosage of Terramycin. If you feel a headache or you suspect that your child may have swallowed Terramycin capsules, call your doctor or the poison control team in your area.
Side Effects of Terramycin
There are several side effects of Terramycin, which affect different organs of the body. Hence it is essential you take them only when prescribed by your doctor.
- Blood-related side effects include neutropenia, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia
- Gastrointestinal tract-related side effects include dysphagia, anorexia, vomiting, enterocolitis, inflammatory lesions, glossitis, esophageal ulcerations, and esophagitis.
- Skin-related side effects include rashes (both erythematous and maculopapular), photosensitivity, and exfoliative dermatitis.
- In the kidneys, it causes renal toxicity, which is characterized by increased blood urea nitrogen levels.
- Central nervous system side effects such as adult idiopathic intracranial hypertension as well as Bulgin fontanelle in infants have been confirmed in patients receiving full doses of oxytetracycline. These conditions were, however, said to disappear upon discontinuation of the drug.
- Hypersensitivity reactions that have been observed with Terramycin include anaphylaxis, urticaria, anaphylactoid purpura, angioneurotic edema, pericarditis, and exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus.
Precautions
Patients should heed the following precautions:
- When taking Terramycin for longer periods of time, close monitoring, including laboratory tests, should be performed at intervals.
- Adequate amounts of fluid should be taken to reduce the incidence of oesophageal irritation and ulceration.
- Terramycin should not be used during the development of the tooth, the last pregnancy trimester, infancy, and within children below 8 years of age, as it has been found that the drug causes permanent tooth discoloration to shades of yellow, gray, or brown.
- Terramycin should be kept in a cool, dry place at room temperature and out of the reach of children.