TETRACYCLINE FOR DIARRHOEA : MORE ABOUT THE RED AND YELLOW CAPSULE

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TETRACYCLINE IN TREATMENT OF DIARRHEA

Tetracycline is an over-the-counter antibiotics that fights infection caused by bacteria. Tetracycline is used to treat different bacterial infections of the skin, intestines, respiratory tract, urinary tract, genitals, lymph nodes, and most commonly in this part of the world, gastrointestinal tract infections.

Tetracycline acts by inhibiting the protein synthesis in causative Bacteria which in turn inhibits the action of the bacteria ( in other words, tetracycline is bacteriostatic) . It's is used also in combination with other drugs to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers caused by H. Pylori.

Many persons result to the use of tetracycline in the treatment of diarrhea as the first line of treatment. This has led to resistance in the use of the drug.

It is best to use Oral Rehydration Solutions

(ORS) first in the treatment of non-bacterial diarrhea(cause by food intolerance or electrolyte imbalance).

This can be prepared locally using:

~ 1 litre of clean water

~ 6 leveled teaspoon of sugar

~ ½ leveled teaspoon of salt

Solution should be mixed properly until complete dissolution and a glass should be taken every hour until diarrhea stops.

For bacteria-induced diarrhea, symptoms below maybe present :

* Nausea

* vomiting

* loose stool

* lightheaded feeling

* abdominal cramping

* fever, etc

Of which only a stool culture can ascertain the actual causative agent of the diarrhea. Only then can tetracycline and other antibiotics be safely prescribed.

Upon administration, tetracycline should be taken an hour before meal or 2hours after meal as food slows down its absorption. It should also be taken with enough water. Tetracycline shouldn't be taken with multivitamins or milk products as it can form chelates with ions present in these food substance which in turn slows down its absorption.

Also upon absorption, tetracycline tends to deposit on the epiphysis of bones. In young bones, it binds with calcium to form a permanent discoloration especially in the teeth. Hence children under 12years and pregnant women are not advised to use tetracycline.

It is best to seek advice from your pharmacist or medical personnel before using tetracycline or any drug.

For pharmacist reference purpose:

when treating diarrhoea, Tetracycline or metronidazole is used to stop the causative bacteria growth, if the diarrhoea is caused by maybe Contaminated food or substance. Diarrhoea as a disease involves loss of water through stooling, so if water is being lost..there is a high probability that electrolytes are lost too, that's why the individual usually loses strength during the process, hence ORS is given to replenish the lost electrolytes. To stop the diarrhoea, Lemotil or Imodium can be given, as these drugs work by making the stool hard hence water isn't lost through the stool anymore.

But not only food or substance contamination leads to diarrhoea, it can also result that the normal flora of the body is reduced; hence drug like bioflor or floranorm is given along side.

By : Igwe Vincent U. Noma Idahosa Rhema and Onuabahgbe Joel