INDICATIONS: Infections caused by susceptible strains of pathogens: Upper and lower respiratory tract: Sinusitis pharyngitis, pneumonia and psittacosis Genito-urinary tract; Non-specific urethritis , Iymphogranuloma venereum , chancroid and granuloma inguinale , gonorrhoea, gonococcal salpingitis , epididymitis , acute epididymo-orchitis , endocervical infections and syphillis ( in cases of penicillin allergy).
CONTRA-INDICATIONS: In patients with renal impairment. Hypersensitivity to any tetracycline. Oxytetracycline should not be given in pregnancy, lactation and in young children.
WARNINGS: Use with care in patients with liver function impairment; Do not use concomitantly with hepatotoxic medicines; Tooth discolouration , enamel hypoplasia and retarded bone growth may occur in children under the age of 12 years. These effects may also occur in the foetus if given to prenant women; Symptoms of myasthenia may be aggravated; Photosensitivity may occur (see " Side effects and Special Precautions"); Pseudotumor cerebri may occur.
DOSAGE AND DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Oxytetracycline should be taken either one hour before meals or two hours after meals. The maximum dose for oxytetracyline should not exceed 3g daily for adults and 50mg/kg bodymass/day for children. The usual dose for oxytetracycline for the commonly occurring infection , depending on the severity is 250 to 500 mg every six hours. For acne , the adult dosage is as follows: 250mg twice daily
SIDE EFFECTS AND SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS: Oxytetracycline is not indicated for treating commonly occurring infections in children under 12 years of age. Gastro-intestinal: Nausea, Vomiting , Diarrhea , Glossitis , Dysphagia related to oesophagitis. Secondary fungal overgrowth (Candida Albicans): Oral candidiasis, Vulvovaginitis, pruritus ani Secondary bacterial overgrowth infections may occur. Resisitant coliform organisms such as Proteus spp. may cause diarrhea. Supper-infection due to resistant staphylococci may cause fulminating enteritis. Increased severity of uraemia and hepatotoxicity in patient with renal disease given high doses.
Photosensitivity of the skin and nails; onycholysis and nail discolouration may occur.
The use of expired oxytetracycline may lead to the Fanconi-type syndrome which is characterised by polyuria and polydipsia with nausea , vomiting , proteinuria, glucosuria, acidosis and aminoaciduria.