Tetralysal

What is Tetralysal?

Tetralysal 300 is an antibiotic and the branded version of lymecycline. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it commonly treats acne and other skin conditions like folliculitis and hidradenitis suppurativa.

Folliculitis is a skin infection commonly caused by bacteria. When the hair follicle is damaged, it creates an entry for bacteria to get inside. As a result, the hair follicles get inflamed and form pustules or papules.^[1] This can make the skin itchy and painful. You don’t always need to treat folliculitis, but the infection can worsen if you don’t.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic skin condition characterised by painful nodules. When the hair follicle becomes blocked, it can rip and leak the contents to the surrounding area. This causes an immune response, resulting in inflammation and the formation of a lesion. Eventually, it can become a lump filled with pus (called an abscess) and spread to other areas of the body.^[2] Hidradenitis suppurativa should be treated early to prevent it from getting worse.

How does Tetralysal work?

The active ingredient in Tetralysal (lymecycline) belongs to the tetracycline class of antibiotics. Tetracyclines function by binding to ribosomes (the part that makes protein), which stops the production of proteins. The lack of protein synthesis prevents bacteria from growing and leads to their death. Additionally, Tetralysal can lessen inflammation by reducing excess fatty acids on the skin, which are known to contribute to the formation of spots.^[3]

What doses of Tetralysal are there?

There’s only one dose of Tetralysal, which is a 300mg capsule. The dosage you take will depend on the severity of your infection, but it’s usually two capsules a day.

How to take Tetralysal

Take Tetralysal with a glass of water. Depending on the severity of your condition, your dosage may differ. If our clinician has prescribed two capsules a day, take them at separate times (preferably one in the morning and one in the evening). It’s necessary to finish the entire course of the treatment, even if you feel better. This is to prevent the symptoms from returning.

What happens if I make a mistake when taking Tetralysal?

If you accidentally miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for the next dose, skip it. Don’t take two capsules together to make up for a missed dose.

How long does Tetralysal take to work?

Depending on the condition, you could start to see some improvement after a week of taking Tetralysal. For a secondary infection from hidradenitis suppurativa, you will typically take antibiotics for 2-3 weeks to make sure the infection is completely gone. For folliculitis, our clinicians will decide if oral antibiotics are needed depending on the severity of your condition.

Make sure to finish the entire course of antibiotics, even if you think you’re better, as stopping early can make the infection return.