Oxytetracycline

What is Oxytetracycline?

Oxytetracycline is a general, broad use antibiotic that’s used to treat a few different infections. You’ll often see it prescribed for common skin infections like acne, as well as rosacea.

Acne is a skin condition that can sometimes be caused by hormonal changes or a large amount of bacteria clogging up your pores. Rosacea is more of a long-term skin condition that goes through periods of remission and flare. If you have rosacea, you’ll get periods where the skin on your face, particularly on your cheeks, becomes red and flushed. It’s not known what causes it.

Oxytetracycline is used to treat acne caused by bacteria and works by killing off bacterial cells, by stopping them from making a self-sustaining protein. It comes as a tablet and will normally be taken once a day for up to three months.

We don’t know a lot about rosacea, but studies have shown that tetracycline antibiotics like Oxytetracycline are effective at treating it when it’s accompanied by acne.

How does Oxytetracycline work?

Acne is mostly caused by two things: hormonal imbalances, which is why it is common in teenagers going through puberty and pregnant women; and bacteria. In people with a type of rosacea called acne rosacea, they’ll usually get spots as well as the common flushing and redness across the face.

The pores in your skin produce a chemical called sebum. Sebum works to keep your hair and skin nice and healthy. When your glands overproduce sebum it can block or clog your pores and attract large amounts of bacteria. Although usually harmless, when there’s more of it than usual, this bacteria can cause spots.

Oxytetracycline works by limiting the growth of the bacteria. It does this by stopping the bacteria from making the self-sustaining proteins that it needs to survive. As a result, the bacteria is weakened and killed by your body's immune system.

What doses of Oxytetracycline are there?

Oxytetracycline 250mg is the only dose available. If you have a more severe form of acne then the prescriber might recommend you take an increased dose of 500mg. (This will just be two 250mg tablets a day instead of one.)

There are other antibiotics that might work better if Oxytetracycline doesn’t help with your acne. So if your symptoms don’t get better when you’re taking it, let your prescriber know.

How to take Oxytetracycline

Your medication should be taken as recommended by your prescriber. Make sure you read the product information leaflet before you use it.

• For acne and rosacea, the usual dose is one or two 250mg tablets taken once or twice a day for up to three months.
• Your prescriber might choose to split this into two daily doses.
• Try to take your tablets around the same time everyday.
• Swallow your tablet whole with water.
• Take either one hour before food, or two hours after.
• Don’t take them immediately before bedtime.
• Never exceed the prescribed amount.
• If you miss a dose, don’t double up on your next one. Take it when you remember and continue the course as before.
• See your GP if your symptoms haven't improved by the end of the treatment

How long does it take Oxytetracycline to work?

Oxytetracycline is absorbed and starts working in your body quickly. But with most antibiotics that are taken to treat acne and rosacea, like Oxytetracycline, it can take several weeks before you notice the benefits to your skin . If you don’t see any improvements in your condition after three months then our clinician might suggest trying something else.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Oxytetracycline?

You should always take your treatment as advised by your prescriber. But, if you do miss a treatment, just make sure you don’t double dose. Take your tablet at the next opportunity and be careful not to exceed your daily dose. Setting alarms or using a reminder app can help you remember to take Oxytetracycline.

One of the most important things to remember taking antibiotics is that your entire course should be taken. Even if your symptoms clear up midway through you should continue with the rest of your medication.

Medically reviewed by

Mr Craig Marsh

Pharmacist Prescriber

on March 07, 2023.

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