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Oxytetracycline

Oxytetracycline
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Clinical data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: D
  • US: D (Evidence of risk)
Routes of
administration
Oral, Ophthalmic
ATC code D06AA03 (WHO) G01AA07 (WHO) J01AA06 (WHO) S01AA04 (WHO) QG51AA01 (WHO) QJ51AA06 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Biological half-life 6-8 hours
Excretion Renal
Identifiers
CAS Number 79-57-2 YesY
PubChem (CID) 54675779
DrugBank DB00595 YesY
ChemSpider 10482174 YesY
UNII SLF0D9077S YesY
KEGG D00205 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:27701 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL1517 YesY
PDB ligand ID OAQ (PDBe, RCSB PDB)
E number E703 (Citation needed) (antibiotics)
ECHA InfoCard 100.001.103
Chemical and physical data
Formula C22H24N2O9
Molar mass 460.434 g/mol
3D model (Jmol) Interactive image
  

Oxytetracycline was the second of the broad-spectrum tetracycline group of antibiotics to be discovered.

Oxytetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce essential proteins. Without these proteins, the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Oxytetracycline therefore stops the spread of the infection and the remaining bacteria are killed by the immune system or eventually die.

Oxytetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, active against a wide variety of bacteria. However, some strains of bacteria have developed resistance to this antibiotic, which has reduced its effectiveness for treating some types of infections.

Oxytetracycline is still used to treat infections caused by Chlamydia (e.g. the chest infection psittacosis, the eye infection trachoma, and the genital infection urethritis) and infections caused by Mycoplasma organisms (e.g. pneumonia).

Oxytetracycline is also used to treat acne, due to its activity against the bacteria on the skin that cause acne (Propionibacterium acnes). It is used to treat flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, due to its activity against the bacteria usually responsible, Haemophilus influenzae. Oxytetracycline may also be used to treat other rarer infections, such as those caused by a group of micro-organisms called rickettsiae (e.g. Q fever). To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to it, a tissue sample is usually taken, for example a swab from the infected area, or a urine or blood sample.

Oxytetracycline was patented in 1949 and came into commercial use in 1950.

Oxytetracycline, like other tetracyclines, is used to treat many infections, both common and rare (see Tetracycline antibiotics group). Its better absorption profile makes it preferable to tetracycline for moderately severe acne at a dosage of 250–500 mg four times a day for usually six to eight weeks at a time, but alternatives should be sought if no improvement occurs by three months. Avoid milk, iron, zinc or indigestion remedies while taking oxytetracycline. Take before food or on an empty stomach. Always follow your doctors' instructions and instruction leaflet.


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Wikipedia

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