Sumycin/Tetracycline IS USED FOR:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria.

Tetracycline/Sumycin is a tetracycline/Sumycin antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms to destroy them.

BEFORE USING Sumycin/Tetracycline :

Some medical conditions may interact with Tetracycline/Sumycin . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Tetracycline/Sumycin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Atovaquone, lithium/Lithobid, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins (eg, amoxicillin/Trimox) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Tetracycline/Sumycin
• Digoxin/Digitek, methotrexate/Rheumatrex, methoxyflurane, or oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin/Coumadin) because their actions and side effects may be increased by Tetracycline/Sumycin
• Acitretin or isotretinoin/Accutane because side effects, such as increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain, may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Tetracycline/Sumycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Sumycin/Tetracycline :

Use Tetracycline/Sumycin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Tetracycline/Sumycin on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Take Tetracycline/Sumycin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Tetracycline/Sumycin .
• Do not take antacids containing aluminum, calcium/Phoslo, or magnesium; preparations containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium/Phoslo rich foods (eg, milk, dairy products, calcium/Phoslo-enriched juices) within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Tetracycline/Sumycin . These products bind with Tetracycline/Sumycin , preventing its full absorption.
• To clear up your infection completely, continue using Tetracycline/Sumycin for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Tetracycline/Sumycin , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Tetracycline/Sumycin .

DO NOT USE Sumycin/Tetracycline IF:

• you are currently taking acitretin or methoxyflurane
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Tetracycline/Sumycin or other tetracycline/Sumycin antibiotics (eg, doxycycline)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Sumycin/Tetracycline :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Black hairy tongue; blurred vision; bulky loose stools; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; fever; headache; hives; hoarseness; indigestion; inflammation or redness of tongue; joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; nausea; rash; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling and itching of the rectum.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); infection (fever, chills, sore throat); itching; nausea; severe skin reaction to the sun; vaginal irritation or discharge; vomiting.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Tetracycline/Sumycin may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Tetracycline/Sumycin . Using Tetracycline/Sumycin alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tetracycline/Sumycin has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Tetracycline/Sumycin during pregnancy. Tetracycline/Sumycin is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tetracycline/Sumycin .
• LAB TESTS may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use of Tetracycline/Sumycin in CHILDREN may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.
• Tetracycline/Sumycin may decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pill. To prevent pregnancy, be sure to use an additional form of birth control while using Tetracycline/Sumycin .
• Use Tetracycline/Sumycin with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 8 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• It is important to use Tetracycline/Sumycin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Tetracycline/Sumycin and will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibiotics in the future.
• Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the kidneys.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, or bloody stools occurs, contact your doctor at once. This could be a symptom of a serious side effect requiring immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• Tetracycline/Sumycin may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Tetracycline/Sumycin . Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Long-term or repeated use of Tetracycline/Sumycin may cause a second infection. Your doctor may want to change your medicine to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.