Metacycline

Metacycline is an antibiotic from the tetracycline group that is used to treat various infections caused by bacteria. It has a broad spectrum of action against different types of bacteria including Gram-positive, Gram-negative, anaerobic and others. Here are some of the main indications for its use:

The drug is usually taken orally in the form of tablets or capsules. The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the type and severity of the infection and the doctor's recommendations. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions and not to self-medicate to avoid possible side effects and the development of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic.

Indications Metacycline

1. Skin and soft tissue infections: The drug can be used to treat boils, acne, cellulitis, wounds, burns and other skin infections.
2. Respiratory infections: The drug may be used to treat bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, and other respiratory tract infections.
3. Urinary tract infections: Metacycline may be used to treat cystitis, urethritis, and other infections of the bladder and urinary tract.
4. Gastrointestinal tract infections: The drug may be prescribed for diarrhea, gastritis and other gastrointestinal tract infections.
5. Infections of the eyes, ears and teeth: The drug may be used to treat conjunctivitis, osteomyelitis and other infections of the eyes, ears and teeth.

Release form

Oral capsules: Capsules contain methacycline in dosages that may vary, but are most commonly found in doses of 150 mg and 300 mg. The capsules are intended to be taken orally and can be taken with water.

Pharmacodynamics

1. Mechanism of Action:

   • Metacycline inhibits protein synthesis in a bacterial cell by binding to the 30S subunit of the ribosome. This prevents the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome, which disrupts the process of mRNA translation and leads to a delay in protein synthesis.

2. Scope:

   • The drug is active against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Acinetobacter spp. And others.

3. Developing Resilience:

   • Like other antibiotics, the use of methacycline can lead to the development of resistance in bacteria. Therefore, it is important to use it with caution and only as prescribed by your doctor.

Pharmacokinetics

1. Absorption: The drug is usually well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. Food may decrease the rate of its absorption, but usually does not affect the total amount that is absorbed.
2. Distribution: Metacycline is well distributed in tissues and organs of the body, including lungs, kidneys, liver, spleen, bones and soft tissues. It also penetrates the placental barrier and is excreted in breast milk.
3. Metabolism: The drug is metabolized in the liver with formation of inactive metabolites.
4. Excretion: About 30-60% of metacycline is excreted unchanged through the kidneys, mainly by active secretion. The remainder is excreted with bile.
5. Half-life: The half-life of the drug is about 8-14 hours.
6. Action: Metacycline has a bacteriostatic effect, inhibiting protein synthesis in bacterial cells.

Dosing and administration

Adults

• Initial dose: Usually 300 mg every 12 hours on the first day of treatment.
• Maintenance dose: The following days of treatment, the dose may be reduced to 150 mg every 12 hours, depending on the doctor's instructions and response to treatment.

Children over 8 years old

• The dosage for children is based on body weight and is usually 6 to 12 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, divided into two doses.
• The maximum dose for children is not more than 600 mg per day.

General recommendations for use

• Capsules should be taken 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal, drinking enough water.
• It is important to take the drug at the same time each day to maintain a constant concentration of the active ingredient in the blood.
• The course of treatment with metacycline depends on the type of infection and its severity and may vary from a few days to several weeks. Do not stop taking the antibiotic prematurely, even if the symptoms of the infection have disappeared, as this may lead to a recurrence of the infection and the development of bacterial resistance to the antibiotic.

It's important

Before starting treatment with Metacycline, it is necessary to consult a doctor, especially in the presence of chronic diseases, allergies to tetracyclines or taking other medicines. The drug is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, as well as children under 8 years of age due to the risk of adverse effects on the development of bones and teeth.

Use Metacycline during pregnancy

The use of methacycline during pregnancy may be limited due to potential risks to the developing fetus. In particular, tetracyclines may have adverse effects on the developing teeth and skeleton of the fetus, especially when taken during the second half of pregnancy. In addition, other side effects may occur.

A doctor may prescribe the drug during pregnancy only if absolutely necessary, when the expected benefits of treatment exceed the potential risks to the mother and fetus.

Contraindications

1. Hypersensitivity: Patients with known hypersensitivity to metacycline, other tetracycline antibiotics, or any of the ingredients of the drug should not use it because of the risk of allergic reactions.
2. Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The drug may have toxic effects on the fetus when used during pregnancy, especially in the second and third trimesters, and is not recommended for use during this period. Its use during breastfeeding should also be avoided due to potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant.
3. Children: Metacycline is not recommended for children under 8 years of age due to possible effects on tooth and bone development, which may result in permanent tooth discoloration and delayed bone development.
4. Hepaticinsufficiency: In patients with severe liver dysfunction methacycline may accumulate in the body, which may lead to increased side effects. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.
5. Renal insufficiency: The drug may accumulate in the body in patients with severe renal dysfunction, therefore it should be used with caution and possibly with dosage adjustment.

Side effects Metacycline

1. Gastrointestinal disorders: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia (digestive disorders), dysbacteriosis, etc.
2. Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, urticaria, angioedema (Quincke's edema), allergic contact dermatitis, etc.
3. Photosensitization: Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, which can lead to sunburns or skin rashes when exposed to the sun.
4. Blood changes: Neutropenia (decreased neutrophil count), thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count), leukopenia (decreased whiteblood cell count), etc.
5. Digestive organs: Liver dysfunction, jaundice of the skin and sclera of the eyes, increased activity of liver enzymes (ALT, AST).
6. Other adverse reactions: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, taste disturbance, increased intracranial pressure, vaginal candidiasis in women, etc.

Overdose

1. Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and dyspepsia may occur.
2. Liver damage: Elevated levels of liver enzymes and liver damage may occur in cases of antibiotic overdose.
3. Neurological symptoms: In rare cases, dizziness, headache or other neurological symptoms may occur.
4. Allergic reactions: Including urticaria, pruritus, edema, angioedema, or anaphylactic shock.
5. Other reactions: May include hypoglycemia, hypotension, or problems with kidney function.

Interactions with other drugs

1. Antacids containing aluminum, magnesium, calcium, or iron: Antacids may reduce absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract, so they should be taken at least two hours before or after taking methacycline.
2. Drugs containing calcium, iron, magnesium or aluminum: These drugs may form chelates with methacycline in the gastrointestinal tract, which may also reduce its absorption. Therefore, they should be taken at least two hours before or after methacycline.
3. Sucralfate Anti-acid Drugs: Sucralfate may decrease absorption of the drug, so their administration should be separated by time.
4. Drugs that alter gastrointestinal pH: Drugs that alter gastrointestinal pH (e.g. Proton pump inhibitors, antacids) may affect the absorption of methacycline.
5. Drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes: The drug may affect the metabolism of some drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, which may require adjustment of their dosage.
6. Drugs that increase the risk of photosensitivity: Metacycline may increase photosensitivity of the skin, so it should be used with caution in combination with other drugs that increase the risk of sunburn or photosensitivity.

Storage conditions

1. Temperature: The drug should normally be stored at a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius.
2. Dryness: The drug should be stored in a dry place to avoid moisture, which may affect its stability and efficacy.
3. Light: Store methacycline in dark packaging or in a place protected from direct sunlight. Light may degrade the active ingredients of the drug.
4. Children: The drug should be kept out of reach of children to prevent accidental use.
5. Manufacturer's instructions: It is important to follow the storage instructions provided by the manufacturer on the package or in the instructions attached to the drug.