Tetracycline is an antibiotic that works by stopping the growth of bacteria. It treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Tetracycline can also be used in combination with anti-ulcer medications to treat certain types of stomach ulcers. It is also known as a broad-spectrum antibiotic and may be used to treat a wide range of infections caused by bacteria, these include:

• respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia
• bronchitis or whooping cough
• urinary tract infections
• sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis
• skin infections such as acne
• infections of the eye such as conjunctivitis
• rickettsial infections such as Q fever or tick fever
• other infections including brucellosis, psittacosis, plague, cholera
• tetracycline may also be used to treat leptospirosis, gasgangrene and tetanus

Note:

• Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.