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Tetracycline

Tetracycline is an antibiotic. Oral tetracycline hydrochloride (tablets and capsules) treats a range of bacterial infections, while topical tetracycline products are used as first aid to help prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

Brand names Achromycin VSumycinViabeclineVitastemVitastem-tetracycline hydrochloride +6 more
Drug classes Tetracycline-class Antimicrobial
Rx/OTC Forms 5
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 15 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 6, 2026
Tetracycline at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Tetracycline is an antibiotic, on the market since about 1953 and available as a generic, that stops bacteria from growing by blocking the proteins they need. It is an older standby for certain respiratory, skin and chlamydia infections, and its topical forms are first aid for minor cuts, scrapes and burns. Most people tolerate it well enough, with stomach upset, loose stools and easy sunburn the usual complaints. Get help quickly for a headache with blurred or double vision, a rare sign of raised pressure around the brain, and know that it is avoided in pregnancy and before age 8 unless truly necessary, since it can permanently stain developing teeth.

Clinical pearls

  • Swallow each dose with a full glass of water, because painful swallowing or chest pain can mean your esophagus is irritated.
  • Take it on an empty stomach and apart from dairy, antacids, and mineral supplements like iron or zinc, which all block absorption.
  • Never pair it with isotretinoin for acne, since both can raise pressure around the brain.
  • It may make hormonal birth control less reliable and can strengthen blood thinners, so flag both before your first dose.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription and over the counter
Comes asCapsule, Topical cream, ointment or gel, Topical spray +2
Earliest FDA record1953
Companies listing it with the FDA12
FDA label last updatedMar 18, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Tetracycline, written from its FDA label.

What Tetracycline is used for

▾

Tetracycline is an antibiotic with different uses depending on the product.

  • Oral tetracycline hydrochloride tablets and capsules treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
  • Upper respiratory tract infections (certain strep, pneumococcal and H. influenzae bacteria).
  • Lower respiratory tract infections, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections (though tetracyclines are not the drugs of choice for staph infections).
  • Rickettsial infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus group infections, Q fever and rickettsialpox.
  • Psittacosis.
  • Chlamydia trachomatis infections, including uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections, inclusion conjunctivitis, trachoma and lymphogranuloma venereum.
  • Granuloma inguinale, relapsing fever, bartonellosis, chancroid, tularemia, plague and cholera.
  • Brucellosis (may be used with an aminoglycoside).
  • Infections due to Campylobacter fetus.
  • Topical tetracycline products (ointments, sprays and solutions such as Tetracyte, Vitastem and ViaDerma Care) are first aid to help prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.

How Tetracycline works

▾

Tetracycline blocks bacteria from making proteins by binding to a part of the bacterial protein-making machinery (the 30S ribosomal subunit). Without those proteins, bacteria can't grow. This makes it mainly bacteriostatic, meaning it stops growth rather than directly killing bacteria.

It works against many gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Resistance across the tetracycline class is common.

Tetracycline dosage

▾

Oral tetracycline hydrochloride comes as tablets and capsules, usually taken several times a day. Take it with a full glass of water. Food, dairy products, antacids and mineral supplements can interfere with absorption, so ask your pharmacist about timing.

  • Streptococcal infections need 10 days of treatment.
  • Your dose depends on the infection and, for children, on body weight. Follow your prescriber and label.
  • Topical products are applied to clean skin in a small amount 1 to 3 times daily and may be covered with a sterile bandage.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Tetracycline prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Adults (usual daily dose)
    • 1 gram as 500 mg twice a day or 250 mg four times a day
    • Higher doses such as 500 mg four times a day may be required for severe infections or those not responding to smaller doses; take with adequate fluid
  • Pediatric patients above eight years of age
    • Usual daily dose, 10 mg/lb to 20 mg/lb (25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg) body weight divided in four equal doses
    • Weight-based dosing
  • Streptococcal infections
    • Therapy should be continued for 10 days
  • Brucellosis
    • 500 mg tetracycline four times a day for three weeks accompanied by streptomycin, 1 gram intramuscularly twice daily the first week and once daily the second week
  • Early syphilis (less than one year's duration) in patients allergic to penicillin
    • 500 mg four times a day for 15 days
  • Syphilis of more than one year's duration (except neurosyphilis) in patients allergic to penicillin
    • 500 mg four times a day for 30 days
  • Gonorrhea
    • 500 mg by mouth four times a day for seven days
  • Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections in adults caused by Chlamydia trachomatis
    • 500 mg, by mouth, four times a day for at least seven days
  • Moderate to severe acne requiring long-term treatment
    • Initial dosage 1 gram daily in divided doses
    • When improved, reduce gradually to maintenance levels of 125 mg to 500 mg daily
    • Alternate day or intermittent therapy may be possible in some patients
  • Patients with renal impairment
    • Decrease total dosage by reduction of recommended individual doses and/or by extending time intervals between doses
    • Kidney adjustment
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Adults: Usual daily dose, 1 gram as 500 mg twice a day or 250 mg four times a day. Higher doses such as 500 mg four times a day may be required for severe infections or for those infections which do not respond to the smaller doses. For pediatric patients above eight years of age: Usual daily dose, 10 mg/lb to 20 mg/lb (25 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg) body weight divided in four equal doses. Administration of adequate amounts of fluid with the tablet formulation of tetracycline is recommended to wash down the drug and reduce the risk of esophageal irritation and ulceration (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Absorption of tetracycline is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and preparations containing iron, zinc or sodium bicarbonate. Food and some dairy products also interfere with absorption. When used in streptococcal infections, therapy should be continued for 10 days. For treatment of brucellosis, 500 mg tetracycline four times a day for three weeks accompanied by streptomycin, 1 gram intramuscularly twice daily the first week and once daily the second week. For the treatment of syphilis in patients allergic to penicillin, the following dosage of tetracycline is recommended: early syphilis (less than one year's duration), 500 mg four times a day for 15 days. Syphilis of more than one year's duration (except neurosyphilis), 500 mg four times a day for 30 days. For treatment of gonorrhea, the recommended dose is 500 mg by mouth four times a day for seven days. Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical or rectal infections in adults caused by Chlamydiatrachomatis : 500 mg, by mouth, four times a day for at least seven days. In cases of moderate to severe acne which, in the judgement of the clinician, require long-term treatment, the recommended initial dosage is 1 gram daily in divided doses. When improvement is noted, reduce dosage gradually to maintenance levels ranging from 125 mg to 500 mg daily. In some patients it may be possible to maintain adequate remission of lesions with alternate day or intermittent therapy. Tetracycline hydrochloride tablets therapy of acne should augment the other standard measures known to be of value. Duration of long-term treatment which can safely be recommended has not been established (see WARNINGS and Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility ).

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Tetracycline side effects

▾

Most side effects involve the stomach and gut.

Common side effects

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Upset stomach
  • Skin rash
  • Sun sensitivity (exaggerated sunburn)
  • Sore tongue or trouble swallowing

When to get medical help

  • Severe or persistent diarrhea, even weeks to two months after treatment (possible C. difficile infection)
  • Headache with blurred vision, double vision or vision loss (possible raised pressure around the brain)
  • Painful swallowing or chest pain (possible esophagus irritation or ulcers)
  • Severe skin reactions, blistering rash, or skin redness or sunburn-like reaction
  • Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling or trouble breathing
  • Signs of liver problems
  • Unusual bruising, fever or signs of blood problems

Call your doctor for severe diarrhea, vision changes with headache, painful swallowing, blistering skin reactions, signs of allergic reaction or liver problems. Report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tetracycline warnings and precautions

▾
  • Teeth and bones: use during tooth development (last half of pregnancy, infancy and childhood to age 8) can permanently discolor teeth. It can also slow bone growth and harm a developing baby.
  • C. difficile diarrhea: can range from mild to fatal colitis and may appear up to two months after treatment.
  • Sun sensitivity: exaggerated sunburn can occur. Stop at the first sign of skin redness.
  • Raised pressure around the brain: symptoms include headache, blurred vision, double vision and vision loss, and vision loss can be permanent.
  • Severe skin reactions: fixed drug eruptions can worsen with repeat doses.
  • Kidney and liver: impaired kidneys can lead to drug buildup and possible liver toxicity. Long-term use calls for periodic lab checks.

Tetracycline interactions

▾

Several medicines and products can change how tetracycline works or how safe it is.

  • Antacids (aluminum, calcium, magnesium), iron, zinc and sodium bicarbonate: reduce absorption.
  • Food and some dairy products: interfere with absorption.
  • Penicillin and other bactericidal antibiotics: may be less effective.
  • Blood thinners: tetracycline can lower prothrombin activity, so the dose may need adjusting.
  • Methoxyflurane: fatal kidney toxicity reported.
  • Isotretinoin: avoid, as both can cause raised pressure around the brain.
  • Oral contraceptives: may be less effective.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Tetracycline prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Penicillin or other bactericidal antibacterials: Bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin. Avoid giving tetracycline in conjunction with penicillin or other bactericidal antibacterials.
  • Anticoagulants: Tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity. Patients on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage.
  • Methoxyflurane: Concurrent use has been reported to result in fatal renal toxicity.
  • Antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium: Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired.
  • Preparations containing iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate: Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired.
  • Oral contraceptives: Concurrent use of tetracycline may render oral contraceptives less effective.
Read the label’s full interactions text

Drug Interactions Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracycline in conjunction with penicillin or other bactericidal antibacterials. Because the tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. The concurrent use of tetracycline and methoxyflurane has been reported to result in fatal renal toxicity. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and preparations containing iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate. Concurrent use of tetracycline may render oral contraceptives less effective.

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿164 supplements and herbs with documented Tetracycline interactions, ranked by severity Check Tetracycline against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Tetracycline

▾
  • Do not use if you are allergic to any tetracycline.
  • Avoid in pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
  • Generally avoid in children up to age 8 unless other drugs are unlikely to work or are not suitable.
  • Tell your prescriber about kidney problems, as lower doses may be needed.
  • Tell them if you are overweight, of childbearing age, or have had raised pressure around the brain.
  • Tell them about all medicines and supplements you take.

Tetracycline overdose

▾

If too much is taken, stop the medication and get medical help. Treatment is symptom-based and supportive. Tetracycline cannot be removed by dialysis.

What Tetracycline does in the body

▾

Tetracycline is primarily bacteriostatic. It inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and is active against a broad range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Other tetracycline drugs have similar activity, and cross-resistance among them is common.

How your body processes Tetracycline

▾

Tetracyclines are readily absorbed and bind to plasma proteins to varying degrees. The liver concentrates them in bile. They are excreted in urine and feces at high concentrations in an active form. Antacids, minerals, food and dairy can impair absorption.

How to store Tetracycline

▾

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) .

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

164

Supplements & herbs that interact with Tetracycline

164 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Tetracycline in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 7
  • Moderate · 136
  • Minor · 21
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major ASARABACCA Major BEER Major OLEANDER Major SIBERIAN COCKLEBUR Major ST. JOHN'S WORT Major WINE Major ALFALFA Moderate +156 more
Every supplement checked against Tetracycline — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 7 major · 136 moderate · 21 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Tetracycline against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

11

Nutrient depletion considerations

Tetracycline has been associated with lower levels of 11 nutrients in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

Evidence & significance mix
  • Higher significance · 10
  • Moderate · 1
BIOTIN Insignificant Depletion CALCIUM Insignificant Depletion FOLIC ACID Insignificant Depletion IRON Insignificant Depletion MAGNESIUM Insignificant Depletion RIBOFLAVIN Insignificant Depletion THIAMINE Insignificant Depletion VITAMIN B12 Insignificant Depletion +3 more
See the full Tetracycline nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Tetracycline: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Tetracycline — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is tetracycline used for?

▾
The tablets and capsules treat certain bacterial infections, such as respiratory, skin and chlamydia infections, when the bacteria are susceptible. Topical products are first aid to help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns. It does not treat viral infections.

How should I take the capsules or tablets?

▾
Swallow them with a full glass of water, and don't take them right before lying down. That helps prevent irritation of your esophagus. Food, dairy and antacids can block absorption, so ask me how to space them out.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Stomach upset is most common, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. You may also burn more easily in the sun, so cover up. Call your doctor for severe diarrhea, vision changes with headache, painful swallowing or a serious rash.

Can I take it with my antacid or vitamins?

▾
Antacids with aluminum, calcium or magnesium, and iron or zinc products, make tetracycline work less well. Dairy can do the same. Tell me what you take and we'll plan timing.

Is tetracycline safe in pregnancy or for children?

▾
Generally no. It can harm a developing baby and permanently discolor teeth in children up to age 8. It should only be used in those situations if absolutely necessary. Tell your prescriber if you are or might be pregnant.

Does it affect birth control or blood thinners?

▾
Yes. Tetracycline may make oral contraceptives less effective. It can also change how blood thinners work, so your dose may need adjusting. Let your prescriber know about both.

Is Tetracycline available over the counter?

▾
Both. Some Tetracycline products are sold over the counter and others need a prescription. According to their FDA listings, the topical cream, ointment or gel, topical spray and topical solution forms are sold over the counter and the capsule and tablet forms need a prescription. The package says which kind you have. Your pharmacist can tell you which product is right for you.

When was Tetracycline first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Tetracycline is from 1953: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Tetracycline was first used.

Who makes Tetracycline?

▾
12 companies currently list Tetracycline products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Viaderma Distribution Inc, Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC, Bryant Ranch Prepack. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Tetracycline on HelloPharmacist

📊Tetracycline supplement interactions164 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerTetracycline vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Tetracycline NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Tetracycline Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Tetracycline forms and strengths (how it comes)

Tetracycline is available in 5 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Need a version that does not list lactose, a gluten source, a dye or gelatin? Inactive ingredients differ by manufacturer: see Tetracycline inactive ingredients by manufacturer.

Capsule

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride capsules treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including respiratory, skin and rickettsial infections.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride capsules are used to treat or prevent infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.
Important instructions
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride capsules should be taken with plenty of fluid to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation and ulcers.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride capsules are absorbed less well with antacids, iron, zinc, sodium bicarbonate, food and some dairy products.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride capsules should be continued for 10 days when used for streptococcal infections.
Available strengths 2 strengths
250 mg 500 mg
47 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical cream, ointment or gel

On the skin
Brands Honestly Battleborn First Aid for Real Man Tetracyte First Aid and Antibiotic Topical Tetracyte Topical Tetracycline Hydrochloride Viabecline Vitastem Vitastem First Aid Antibiotic
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • APT T3X, Tetracycline 3 percent a First Aid Antibiotic, Honestly Battleborn First Aid for Real Man and Tetracyte ointments are first aid to help prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
Important instructions
  • Tetracyte Topical and the other listed ointments are applied to the cleaned area in a small amount, about the size of a fingertip, 1 to 3 times daily.
  • Tetracyte Topical and the other listed ointments may be covered with a sterile bandage.
  • Tetracyte Topical ointment may stain cloth.
Available strengths 2 strengths
30 mg/g 30 mg/mL
9 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical spray

On the skin
Brands Honestly Battleborn First Aid for Real Man Tetracyte Topical Tetracycline Hydrochloride Vitastem-tetracycline hydrochloride
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Tetracyte Topical and Honestly Battleborn First Aid for Real Man sprays are first aid to help prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
Important instructions
  • Tetracyte Topical spray is applied to the cleaned area in a small amount 1 to 3 times daily.
  • Tetracyte Topical spray may be covered with a sterile bandage.
Available strengths 1 strength
30 mg/mL
5 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride tablets treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including respiratory, skin and chlamydia infections.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride tablets should be used only for infections proven or strongly suspected to be bacterial.
Important instructions
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride tablets should be taken with plenty of fluid to reduce the risk of esophageal irritation and ulcers.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride tablets are absorbed less well with antacids, iron, zinc, sodium bicarbonate, food and some dairy products.
  • Tetracycline Hydrochloride tablets should be continued for 10 days when used for streptococcal infections.
Available strengths 2 strengths
250 mg 500 mg
2 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Topical solution

On the skin
Brands ViaDerma Care Tetracycline HCl First Aid Antibiotic Viaderma Vitastem First Aid Topical Antibiotic
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • ViaDerma Care Tetracycline HCl First Aid Antibiotic helps prevent skin infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
Important instructions
  • ViaDerma Care Tetracycline HCl First Aid Antibiotic is applied to the cleaned area in a small amount 1 to 3 times daily.
  • ViaDerma Care Tetracycline HCl First Aid Antibiotic may be covered with a sterile bandage.
Available strengths 1 strength
30 mg/mL
2 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Tetracycline on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Tetracycline appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

12 companies list 34 Tetracycline product records with the FDA, mostly as capsule, topical cream, ointment or gel, topical spray; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1953. Brand names on the directory include Achromycin V, Sumycin, Viabecline and 8 more; the rest are generics.

5
Dose forms ⓘ
12
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
10
Brand names
34
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1953
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (8) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Viaderma Distribution Inc24%
Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC12%
Bryant Ranch Prepack12%
Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.12%
Actavis Pharma, Inc.6%
Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.6%
Other makers29%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Tetracycline is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Tetracycline is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Tetracycline is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

56,850
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$7M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Tetracycline prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Tetracycline ranks #612 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 62% of them.

Where Tetracycline ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #612 of 1,601
#607 Neomycin, Polymyxin, a... 58,778 Rx #608 Paclitaxel (with polyo... 58,387 Rx #609 Paclitaxel (with album... 58,387 Rx #610 Paclitaxel 58,387 Rx #611 Ustekinumab Injection 57,319 Rx #612 Tetracycline 56,850 Rx #613 Rufinamide 56,836 Rx #614 Naloxegol 56,672 Rx #615 Metolazone 56,621 Rx #616 Ivermectin 55,437 Rx #617 Abatacept Injection 55,268 Rx

Utilization by Tetracycline product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 500 mg oral capsule is the most-dispensed Tetracycline product — about 94% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

tetracycline hydrochloride 500 MG Oral Capsule Most dispensed

53,694 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 94% of Tetracycline prescriptions shown $2.7M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $49 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 8 of 45 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198252

tetracycline hydrochloride 250 MG Oral Capsule

1,908 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Tetracycline prescriptions shown $96,179 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $50 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 33 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 198250

tetracycline hydrochloride 250 MG Oral Tablet

1,215 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Tetracycline prescriptions shown $4.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $3,435 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313252

tetracycline hydrochloride 500 MG Oral Tablet

33 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Tetracycline prescriptions shown $80,072 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $2,426 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 1 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313254

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Tetracycline, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 15 of 80 listed Tetracycline NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Tetracycline products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Tetracycline — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 34 of 34 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 34 Tetracycline NDCs →

Tetracycline side effects reported to the FDA (FAERS)

After a medicine reaches the market, patients, doctors and drugmakers can send the FDA reports of problems they think may be linked to it. Here’s what’s been reported for Tetracycline — a signal of what to watch for, not proof the drug caused it.

The effects most often named in FDA reports that mention Tetracycline are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting; about 76% of the reports were classed as serious. These are voluntary reports, so they show what people report, not how often it happens.

1,882
Reports mentioning it
76%
Reported as serious
12
Distinct effects shown
Most reported effects
Nausea
208
Diarrhoea
169
Vomiting
166
Drug Hypersensitivity
162
Headache
160
Dizziness
147
Hypersensitivity
140
Asthenia
131
Fatigue
125
Arthralgia
120
Age groups
Adult · 156Elderly · 68Adolescent · 3Child · 1

Source: openFDA, from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). These are voluntary reports — they don’t prove the drug caused the effect, and counts reflect how often something was reported, not how often it actually happens. Reports also often name the very problem the medicine is taken for — a common reason to file one is that the drug didn’t help — so for a pain reliever you may see “pain” high on the list; that points to why the report was filed, not to the drug causing the symptom. This counts every report that lists Tetracycline in any role, so the total runs higher than the FDA’s official dashboard, which counts only cases where the drug is the suspect. For the authoritative figures, see the FDA FAERS Public Dashboard. Always talk to your pharmacist or doctor.

Tetracycline FDA approval history

How Tetracycline went from FDA review to the pharmacy shelf — the key milestones in its regulatory journey.

Tetracycline was first approved by the FDA in 1953 (Brand: ACHROMYCIN · Lederle); the first generic version was approved in 1954. It remains available in U.S. pharmacies today.

1953
Brand approved
Brand: ACHROMYCIN · Lederle
1954
First generic approved
Lower-cost ANDA competition begins
2026
Available today
Active in U.S. pharmacies

Source: Drugs@FDA.

Tetracycline recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Tetracycline recalls since July 2021.

✅No Tetracycline recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Tetracycline RxCUI 10395 9 dose forms · 13 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Ointment RxCUI 379005 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.01 MG/MG RxCUI 313248
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 756794 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 25 MG/ML RxCUI 756192
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Suspension RxCUI 374420 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 25 MG/ML RxCUI 313251
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Lotion RxCUI 403133 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 10 MG/ML RxCUI 391990
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Ointment RxCUI 374533 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.01 MG/MG RxCUI 391989 hydrochloride 0.03 MG/MG RxCUI 1542813
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Solution RxCUI 374063 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 2.2 MG/ML RxCUI 1546038 hydrochloride 30 MG/ML RxCUI 2732213
  9. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Spray RxCUI 2180655 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 30 MG/ML RxCUI 2180656

Look up RxCUI 10395 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Tetracycline costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Capsule · Oral 500 mg $0.627 per capsule NDC details & price history
Capsule · Oral 250 mg $0.247 per capsule NDC details & price history
Capsule 250 mg $0.247 per capsule NDC details & price history
Capsule 500 mg $0.627 per capsule NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Tetracycline brand names

Tetracycline is sold under 11 brand names in the FDA directory — Achromycin V, Sumycin, Viabecline, Vitastem and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Achromycin V Sumycin Viabecline Vitastem Vitastem-tetracycline hydrochloride Tetracyte Topical Tetracycline Hydrochloride Honestly Battleborn First Aid for Real Man Tetracyte First Aid and Antibiotic Topical Vitastem First Aid Antibiotic Viaderma Vitastem First Aid Topical Antibiotic ViaDerma Care Tetracycline HCl First Aid Antibiotic

Who makes Tetracycline: manufacturers and labelers

12 companies list Tetracycline products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Viaderma Distribution Inc, Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC, Bryant Ranch Prepack. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Viaderma Distribution Inc 8 Amneal Pharmaceuticals NY LLC 4 Bryant Ranch Prepack 4 Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 Actavis Pharma, Inc. 2 Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc. 2 Chartwell RX, LLC. 2 Honestly Llc 2 Pharmaka Generics Inc. 2 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Accuria, LLC 1 Proficient Rx LP 1

Tetracycline drug class (RxNorm)

Tetracycline belongs to the Tetracycline-class Antimicrobial class.

Pharmacologic class Tetracycline-class Antimicrobial
Drug family (ATC) Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment, Tetracycline and derivatives, Tetracyclines

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Tetracycline page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Mar 18, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Tetracycline.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Tetracycline after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
15
Finished products in the current FDA directory
34
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
12
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
13
Linked representative label ⓘ
Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Linked label effective
Mar 18, 2025
Composite sections available
16
Linked SPL Set ID
eaa5b1bd-0927-46e4-b941-32fcc492d258
Linked SPL Document ID
0d5bebf0-11ec-4572-9728-d8721296b1f4
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →