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.
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.
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:
- Oral antibiotics: Tetralysal (lymecycline), Minocin (minocycline)
- Topical antibiotics: Dalacin T, Duac, Zineryt, Treclin
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:
- Acnecide Gel (benzoyl peroxide)
- Differin Cream/Gel (adapalene)
- Epiduo Gel (adapalene and benzoyl peroxide)
- Skinoren Cream (azelaic acid)
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 reviews
Oxytetracycline 250mg Tablets FAQs
Classed as a tetracycline antibiotic, Oxytetracycline is not related to penicillin. Tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline are also popular antibiotics from this family of drugs, which are used to treat infections.
Doctors prescribe 250mg tablets or capsules to treat acne, rosacea, as well as several other types of infection. Alternative antibiotics include doxycycline, erythromycin and clindamycin. Tetralysal 300 (lymecycline) is another widely used acne medication that works similarly to this drug.
Abide by the instructions given by your doctor and take each tablet with water. It is important that you do not take Oxytetracycline immediately before lying down or retiring for the night, as this will increase the chances of stomach-related side-effects. Acne treatment supplied by the The Independent Pharmacy Online Doctor usually consists of a three month course, with the advice that four tablets (amounting to 1000mg) should be taken per day. This is achieved by taking two 250mg Oxytetracycline tablets both morning and evening.
If you forget to take one of your daily doses, do not double up but simply continue with the next dose due. Bacteria lead to spots and lesions and Oxytetracycline works at reducing the inflammation.
If you have any concerns about taking this medication, speak with your doctor, who will be able to provide you with the answers you need.
Always complete the course of Oxytetracycline provided by your doctor, as not finishing the course could mean that the bacteria may not have been fully eliminated and could return more fiercely. Once acne has been cleared, there is still a chance that not having Oxyteracycline in your system may give way to bacteria once again appearing on the skin.
Only stop the treatment on your doctor’s advice, as stopping before your skin has truly repaired could cause the return of a much more severe infection. Even if your skin looks clear, it is important that all antibiotic treatments are taken up to the end of their prescribed course.
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 can have another consultation with our Online Doctor to see if another medicine would work better for you.
For effective treatment, it may be advised that you use topical treatments alongside this antibiotic to cure your cystic acne. Skinoren or Benzoyl Peroxide-based treatments may also be an effective addition.
These topical treatments are not available over the counter. The best way to get them delivered straight to your door in the UK is to buy direct from the Independent Pharmacy online.
Oxytetracycline is an oral medication which treats several bacterial infections, one of which is acne, a common skin condition which most people experience at some stage or other. This condition presents itself on the face, chest and back and appears as:
blackheads -a plug of sebum in a hair follicle, which becomes darkened by oxidation
whiteheads - a pale or white-topped pustule
pustules - a small blister or pimple which contains pus
papules - a small pimple or swelling which often forms part of a rash
nodules – a small swelling
cysts - a sac or cavity which contains fluid.These form when bacteria grows in a blocked hair follicle which already contains trapped sebum (oil) and can be caused by hormones, a vitamin deficiency or a bad diet, stress and genetics.
Oxytetracycline is formulated to prevent the growth of bacteria, thus alleviating and removing the condition.This medicine is also widely used in the treatment of other conditions such as chlamydia, rosacea and urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you need it for another medical compliant, then we recommend you see your doctor for a check-up.
Some drugs in the tetracycline family, including Oxytetracycline, reportedly cause photosensitivity. Sun exposure can cause redness, swelling and rashes when on this medication, though only in very rare cases. This can be avoided by using a high factor sun block when exposed to strong UV light.
There is no problem in wearing makeup, but choose products that are not greasy or oil-based, as being so would worsen the acne. This is because acne is fundamentally caused by blocked pores, and oil-based makeup is widely recognised as being comedogenic – in other words, it can block pores.
You can prevent your makeup-related acne flare ups by ensuring that you remove your products thoroughly from your skin with an alcohol-free makeup remover. Alcohol-based makeup removers are an irritant and can aggravate your skin further.
Myths abound as to the cause of acne and include an unbalanced diet, though no clinical studies have shown a link. Stress has also been attributed to acne but, while it will not cause it, it could exacerbate the condition. The best thing to do is to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.
There is no problem in wearing make-up but choose products which are not greasy, as being so would worsen the acne.
Yes. This can be obtained from your doctor, or by ordering online from The Independent Pharmacy.
The tablets are circular and biconvex (curved like a ball on both sides) and yellow in colour.
Oxytetracycline can lessen the effect of oral contraceptives and so, in these circumstances, you should take extra precautions during the treatment and for at least 7 days after the course of Oxytetracycline has finished. A condom and extra spermicide could be considered.
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, speak with your doctor, as an alternative medication may prove more suitable to your needs.
Alcohol is permitted, as it doesn’t interfere with the effectiveness of this medication.
You should still have the same capacity to drive, though if you experience any side-effects which make you feel unable to drive, avoid this responsibility until you have spoken with your doctor.
Keep at room temperature and always away from children.
In the UK, Oxytetracycline can only be purchased by prescription. The Independent Pharmacy can provide Oxytetracycline online for people with acne using our Online Doctor service.
It is advisable that you avoid taking this medication when you have recently consumed dairy products, including milk. This medicine should ideally be taken on an empty stomach. Taking Oxytetracycline in combination with dairy products may result in it being absorbed into your system less effectively and it could therefore treat your infection less effectively.
Some medicines, particularly antibiotics, must be taken before food or on an empty stomach. This is because some food and drink can interact in negative ways with the medication, which would make it work less effectively to treat your infection. Though not all food or drink will do this, it is best to avoid eating to be on the safe side. Food and drink can also prevent your stomach from absorbing the medication entirely, so to make sure that you get the correct dose, an empty stomach is advisable.
Oxytetracycline is available in a great number of forms, making it a very useful treatment for most walks of life. This medicine is available as a:
- Topical gel or cream
- Powder
- Ointment
- Spray
- Injection
Currently, we only supply the tablets for acne, but should you require a different form via NHS or private prescription, we would be happy to dispense this for you.
No, Oxytetracycline does not have penicillin in it and it is not related to penicillin. Oxytetracycline is safe for people with an allergy to penicillin and is sometimes prescribed for infections in those who are sensitive to penicillin.
Both treatments are prescribed for patients suffering from acne, rosacea, or cystic acne. Both are tetracycline antibiotics and are very similar in price. They are both considered first-line treatments for acne by national guidelines and have very similar effects.
Oxytetracycline may be inconvenient for some people as it needs to be taken twice daily and should not be taken with food. Lymecycline only needs to be taken once a day so may be more convenient for some people.
Oxytetracycline and Doxycycline are both part of a family of medication called ‘tetracyclines’ but they are not exactly the same thing. Doxycycline is more fat soluble than Oxytetracycline, and is often prescribed for malaria prevention, as well as for acne.
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