Methacycline is a broad-spectrum, bacteriostatic antibiotic that belongs to the tetracycline family. Similar to other tetracyclines, it is used for the treatment of infections sustained by cocci and bacilli, Gram-positive and in particular for microorganisms such as intracellular parasites (chlamydia, rickettsia, mycoplasmas, Brucella, Borrelia, etc.).
Among these diseases, this drug is also prescribed to treat diseases such as: acute and chronic bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, pneumonia, laryngitis, middle ear infections, pharyngitis, sinusitis, dental infections, cystitis, cholangitis, pyelitis, pyelonephritis, urethritis, bacillary dysentery, meningitis, salmonellosis, septicemia, abscesses of different types, various types of infection (burn infections, soft tissue infections, sores), linfoangioite, osteomyelitis, whitlow, peritonitis, prostatitis, cervicitis, endometritis, puerperal fever, mastitis. The methacycline is also used in surgical prophylaxis.
What is Methacycline?
Similar to other tetracyclines, methacycline inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the bacterial 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
How should Methacycline be taken?
The methacycline is commercially available for oral use, while its excretion is mainly renal and only minimally with the bile.
Side effects associated with Methacycline
The potential adverse effects that may be triggered with the use of methacycline may include:
- Gastrointestinal disorders: weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis and other mucositis;
- Skin manifestations: erythematous or maculopapular eruptions;
- Hypersensitivity reactions: urticarial eruptions, anaphylactic purpura, edema (rare);
- Hematologic alterations: hemolytic anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and eosinophilia (very rare cases)
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Methacycline
Particular attention is advised in the administration of methacycline in patients with insufficient renal function, since this medication can aggravate a pre-existing state of kidney failure. During treatment it is important to pay attention to the health of the liver, since even normal doses of methacycline can give rise to an accumulation of the substance in the circulation such as to cause liver damage. Moreover, methacycline can reduce the capacity of clotting of the blood, and therefore it may be necessary to adapt the dosages of anticoagulants that must eventually be taken concomitantly with the methacycline.
Some foods, in particular, many dairy products, interfere with the oral absorption of methacycline, thus the administration of this drug should be made one hour before or two hours after meals, while remembering not to drink milk (indication that also applies to children). In women during pregnancy and lactation the drug should be prescribed only in cases in which it is clearly necessary and always under strict medical supervision. The drug should not be used to treat children under the age of eight.
