One of the most widely prescribed antibiotic classes in the world, tetracyclines are used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections ranging from acne to gonorrhea. Tetracyclines work by blocking the transfer of RNA needed to synthesize new protein, essentially preventing cell growth and multiplication.

The first tetracycline used in modern medicine was aureomycin, a yellowish substance that was discovered in 1948 by Benjamin Duggar (1872–1956), an American botanist studying bacteria in soil.

Tetracyclines do not actively destroy existing cells, but instead only work to prevent cultures from multiplying. The drug stops growth in both host and invading cells, although bacteria are naturally more susceptible to its harmful effects than human cells are. They are commonly used to treat skin problems like rosacea, sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, and other infectious diseases. Along with several other types of antibiotics, they have also been added to livestock feed. Recently, however, researchers have begun to raise concerns about overuse of tetracyclines in animals and humans. The widespread use of these drugs, even in cases where they are not medically necessary, may be contributing to the development of antibiotic-resistant organisms and more-resilient infections.

Some people may experience hypersensitivity reactions to tetracyclines, including nausea, vomiting, and an unpleasant taste. The drugs can make skin more sensitive to sunlight and susceptible to sunburn, and can make birth control pills less effective. Tetracycline absorption in the gastrointestinal tract can be impaired by milk and other dairy products, multivitamins or iron supplements, and sodium bicarbonate or calcium antacids.

ADDITIONAL FACTS

  1. Although it wasn’t used as a drug until the 1950s, archaeological researchers have discovered significant levels of tetracycline in mummies from Nubia (northern Sudan) and other African cultures from as far back as the 4th century. It’s believed that the beer brewed at the time may have been the source.
  2. Tetracycline is absorbed into bone and glows under fluorescent light, and thus can be used as a marker of bone growth for biopsies in humans.
  3. Tetracycline can inhibit bone growth, damage tooth enamel, and cause permanent yellowing or graying of the teeth. It should not be prescribed to pregnant women or to children under age 8.