The Independent Pharmacy
Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets

Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets

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Description

If you’re suffering from the unpleasant effects of acne or rosacea, Oxytetracycline can help. This powerful, prescription-only oral antibiotic is available to order direct through The Independent Pharmacy — simply complete a free online assessment for review by one of our healthcare professionals.

Once approved, we’ll send your medication out with fast, secure delivery as soon as the next working day, and all our treatments are packaged discreetly and priced competitively.

Suitable for age: 18 Years +
Maximum per order:3
Consultation required?Yes

This treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.

Generic Treatment?Yes

This is a generic medicine and manufacturer of the treatment supplied may vary from the treatment image above, depending on availability. Please contact us once you've placed your order if you require a specific brand and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Type of medicine
Broad-spectrum antibiotic
Works by
Stops the growth of bacteria
Active ingredient
Oxytetracycline dihydrate
Strength
250 mg
Effective within
2 - 4 months
Pack size
112 tablets
Manufacturer
Intrapharm Laboratories, Accord, Almus, Crescent, Genesis Pharma
Generic
Yes
Use with alcohol
In moderation

Oxytetracycline Information

What is Oxytetracycline and what is it used for?

Oxytetracycline is a potent, broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat acne — including persistent or cystic acne — and a variety of other skin conditions, such as rosacea. The treatment belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics, and works by inhibiting the growth and spread of bacteria in the body.

While Oxytetracycline is most commonly used against infections of the skin, it’s effective against a wide variety of conditions, including respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and eye infections. However, online it is only available for acne and rosacea.

How does Oxytetracycline treat acne?

Oxytetracycline 250mg tablets treat acne directly by targeting the bacteria responsible for the infection. Taken orally, Oxytetracycline is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to the sebaceous glands in the skin. These glands produce oil that can become trapped in hair follicles, leading to the formation of pimples, blackheads, and other types of acne.

Oxytetracycline then inhibits the growth and spread of the bacteria responsible for acne. It does this by preventing the bacteria from producing the proteins they need to survive and multiply. As a result, the number of bacteria on the skin's surface decreases, reducing inflammation and preventing the formation of new acne lesions.

For best results, Oxytetracycline tablets should be taken alongside a good skincare regime. For example, a mild soap or cleanser such as Acnecide or Cetaphil used once or twice daily can help to remove excess bacterial waste and sebum.

If you'd like to find out more, take a look at our Oxytetracycline acne guide for more information.

Oxytetracycline with other acne treatments

Oxytetracycline should not be taken with any other antibiotic-containing treatments for acne. These include:

National guidelines recommend the use of a topical acne treatment alongside Oxytetracycline for optimal results when treating acne. Topical acne treatments that work well with Oxytetracycline include:

Using one of the above treatments alongside Oxytetracycline has been shown to produce better results than Oxytetracycline on its own.

How to take Oxytetracycline tablets

For adults aged between 18 to 65 years: Take 2 Oxytetracycline tablets twice daily — once in the morning and once in the evening. Continue treatment for up to 3 months, and review with your GP after this period.

  • When taking Oxytetracycline, swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
  • Take on an empty stomach; this is usually 1 hour before food or 2 hours after food.
  • Do not take this medicine at the same time as indigestion remedies. A gap of 2 -3 hours should be left between taking each treatment.

How to store Oxytetracycline

  • Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Who cannot take Oxytetracycline?

In general, Oxytetracycline is safe and effective for most people. However, there are some groups of people who should not take Oxytetracycline or who should take it with caution. These include:

  • Pregnant women: Oxytetracycline can harm a developing foetus and therefore it should not be taken during pregnancy.
  • Breastfeeding mothers: Oxytetracycline can be passed through breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.
  • Children: Oxytetracycline can interfere with the development of bones and teeth in children under the age of eight. It should only be used in children when there is no alternative treatment option.
  • People with kidney or liver problems: Oxytetracycline is processed by the liver and kidneys, and people with kidney or liver problems or those taking blood-thinning medications may not be able to clear the drug from their system effectively.

Oxytetracycline ingredients

The active ingredient in Oxytetracycline is: Oxytetracycline 250mg.

It also contains the inactive ingredients: maize starch, pregelatinated maize starch, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, sodium lauryl sulphate, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (E171), quinoline yellow (E104), hydroxypropyl cellulose (E463), sunset yellow (E110), hypromellose, ethylcellulose and dibutyl phthalate.

Oxytetracycline side effects

Like all medicines, oxytetracycline may cause side effects in some users. These may include:

  • Gastric upsets, such as feeling or being sick, diarrhoea and difficulty swallowing.
  • Pseudomembranous colitis (watery diarrhoea, fever and cramps).
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
  • Increased bruising, nosebleeds, or sore throats.
  • Skin rashes (including redness or colour changes of the skin).
  • Changes in liver or kidney function (tiredness, pain in the abdomen or back, difficulty passing urine).
  • Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes).

If you experience any side effects — including any not listed above — speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Oxytetracycline warnings

You should not take Oxytetracycline tablets if you:

  • Are allergic or sensitive to or have had a bad reaction to tetracyclines or other medicines similar to Oxytetracycline dihydrate in the past.
  • Are allergic or sensitive to or have reacted to any of the ingredients in the medicine.
  • Are elderly.
  • Have diabetes.
  • Have had a hypersensitivity or photosensitivity reaction.
  • Have kidney problems.
  • Have liver problems.
  • Have lupus or a lupus-like problem.
  • Have myasthenia gravis.

Oxytetracycline and other medicines

If you are unsure about the effects or interactions of your current medication with this drug, please get in contact with us, or consult your GP.

If you are taking any of the following medicines, speak to a doctor before taking this medication:

  • Penicillin-type antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin
  • Vitamin A
  • Retinoids
  • Anticoagulants
  • Oral contraceptives
  • Diuretics
  • Diabetic medicines
  • Antacids
  • Lithium

Can I take Oxytetracycline when pregnant or breastfeeding?

While exposure to Oxytetracycline in early pregnancy is not directly associated with any specific birth defects, its use in the second or third trimester can cause problems. As such, we do not recommend taking Oxytetracycline if you are (or may be) pregnant, or you’re breastfeeding.

Before taking this medication, please ensure you have read and understood the content contained in the Patient Information Leaflet contained within the product packaging.

Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets FAQs

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Scott McDougall

Authored by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.

Daniel Hurley

Reviewed by

Daniel Hurley
Daniel Hurley
MPharm IP
2078790
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber

Dan is an experienced pharmacist having spent time working in both primary and secondary care. He currently supports our clinical team by providing robust clinical governance review of our internal processes and information.