Tetracyclines
- 30S inhibitors with broad atypical activity
- Doxycycline: acne, STI, tick disease, CAP
- Minocycline: more vestibular/pigment effects
- Chelate calcium/iron/magnesium
- Photosensitivity + GI/esophageal injury
- Avoid doxycycline just before lying down
- Pregnancy/young-child cautions vary by agent
Class at a glance
- 30S inhibitors with broad atypical activity
Members / distinctions
- Doxycycline: acne, STI, tick disease, CAP
- Minocycline: more vestibular/pigment effects
Other member distinctions
- Chelate calcium/iron/magnesium
- Photosensitivity + GI/esophageal injury
Safety / monitoring
- Avoid doxycycline just before lying down
- Pregnancy/young-child cautions vary by agent
Pearls
- Minocycline: drug-induced lupus risk
- Avoid in pregnancy: fetal tooth staining, bone-growth effects
Self-check
- What distinguishes Tetracyclines?
30S inhibitors with broad atypical activity. - What administration timing should be avoided with doxycycline?
Just before lying down.
Drugs in this class (4)
Tetracyclines prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Tetracycline antibacterials (1949–2026).
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