Classed as a tetracycline antibiotic, Oxytetracycline is not related to penicillin. Tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline are also popular antibiotics from this family of drugs, which are used to treat infections.

Doctors prescribe 250mg tablets or capsules to treat acne, rosacea, as well as several other types of infection. Alternative antibiotics include doxycycline, erythromycin and clindamycin. Tetralysal 300 (lymecycline) is another widely used acne medication that works similarly to this drug.

Abide by the instructions given by your doctor and take each tablet with water. It is important that you do not take Oxytetracycline immediately before lying down or retiring for the night, as this will increase the chances of stomach-related side-effects. Acne treatment supplied by the The Independent Pharmacy Online Doctor usually consists of a three month course, with the advice that four tablets (amounting to 1000mg) should be taken per day. This is achieved by taking two 250mg Oxytetracycline tablets both morning and evening.

If you forget to take one of your daily doses, do not double up but simply continue with the next dose due. Bacteria lead to spots and lesions and Oxytetracycline works at reducing the inflammation.

If you have any concerns about taking this medication, speak with your doctor, who will be able to provide you with the answers you need.

Always complete the course of Oxytetracycline provided by your doctor, as not finishing the course could mean that the bacteria may not have been fully eliminated and could return more fiercely. Once acne has been cleared, there is still a chance that not having Oxyteracycline in your system may give way to bacteria once again appearing on the skin.

Only stop the treatment on your doctor’s advice, as stopping before your skin has truly repaired could cause the return of a much more severe infection. Even if your skin looks clear, it is important that all antibiotic treatments are taken up to the end of their prescribed course.

The usual recommended duration of treatment is 8-12 weeks. This time is required to ensure that you have given it a chance to fight the infection.

If your acne persists after your course of antibiotics, you can have another consultation with our Online Doctor to see if another medicine would work better for you.

For effective treatment, it may be advised that you use topical treatments alongside this antibiotic to cure your cystic acne. Skinoren or Benzoyl Peroxide-based treatments may also be an effective addition.

These topical treatments are not available over the counter. The best way to get them delivered straight to your door in the UK is to buy direct from the Independent Pharmacy online.

Oxytetracycline is an oral medication which treats several bacterial infections, one of which is acne, a common skin condition which most people experience at some stage or other. This condition presents itself on the face, chest and back and appears as:
blackheads -a plug of sebum in a hair follicle, which becomes darkened by oxidation
whiteheads - a pale or white-topped pustule
pustules - a small blister or pimple which contains pus
papules - a small pimple or swelling which often forms part of a rash
nodules – a small swelling
cysts - a sac or cavity which contains fluid.

These form when bacteria grows in a blocked hair follicle which already contains trapped sebum (oil) and can be caused by hormones, a vitamin deficiency or a bad diet, stress and genetics.
Oxytetracycline is formulated to prevent the growth of bacteria, thus alleviating and removing the condition.

This medicine is also widely used in the treatment of other conditions such as chlamydia, rosacea and urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you need it for another medical compliant, then we recommend you see your doctor for a check-up.

Some drugs in the tetracycline family, including Oxytetracycline, reportedly cause photosensitivity. Sun exposure can cause redness, swelling and rashes when on this medication, though only in very rare cases. This can be avoided by using a high factor sun block when exposed to strong UV light.

There is no problem in wearing makeup, but choose products that are not greasy or oil-based, as being so would worsen the acne. This is because acne is fundamentally caused by blocked pores, and oil-based makeup is widely recognised as being comedogenic – in other words, it can block pores.

You can prevent your makeup-related acne flare ups by ensuring that you remove your products thoroughly from your skin with an alcohol-free makeup remover. Alcohol-based makeup removers are an irritant and can aggravate your skin further.

Myths abound as to the cause of acne and include an unbalanced diet, though no clinical studies have shown a link. Stress has also been attributed to acne but, while it will not cause it, it could exacerbate the condition. The best thing to do is to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.

There is no problem in wearing make-up but choose products which are not greasy, as being so would worsen the acne.

Yes. This can be obtained from your doctor, or by ordering online from The Independent Pharmacy.

The tablets are circular and biconvex (curved like a ball on both sides) and yellow in colour.

Oxytetracycline can lessen the effect of oral contraceptives and so, in these circumstances, you should take extra precautions during the treatment and for at least 7 days after the course of Oxytetracycline has finished. A condom and extra spermicide could be considered.

It takes up to six months to clear acne but severe cases could take up to two years. If you do not notice an improvement within the first three months, speak with your doctor, as an alternative medication may prove more suitable to your needs.

Alcohol is permitted, as it doesn’t interfere with the effectiveness of this medication.

You should still have the same capacity to drive, though if you experience any side-effects which make you feel unable to drive, avoid this responsibility until you have spoken with your doctor.

Keep at room temperature and always away from children.

In the UK, Oxytetracycline can only be purchased by prescription. The Independent Pharmacy can provide Oxytetracycline online for people with acne using our Online Doctor service.

It is advisable that you avoid taking this medication when you have recently consumed dairy products, including milk. This medicine should ideally be taken on an empty stomach. Taking Oxytetracycline in combination with dairy products may result in it being absorbed into your system less effectively and it could therefore treat your infection less effectively.

Some medicines, particularly antibiotics, must be taken before food or on an empty stomach. This is because some food and drink can interact in negative ways with the medication, which would make it work less effectively to treat your infection. Though not all food or drink will do this, it is best to avoid eating to be on the safe side. Food and drink can also prevent your stomach from absorbing the medication entirely, so to make sure that you get the correct dose, an empty stomach is advisable.

Oxytetracycline is available in a great number of forms, making it a very useful treatment for most walks of life. This medicine is available as a:

• Topical gel or cream
• Powder
• Ointment
• Spray
• Injection

Currently, we only supply the tablets for acne, but should you require a different form via NHS or private prescription, we would be happy to dispense this for you.

No, Oxytetracycline does not have penicillin in it and it is not related to penicillin. Oxytetracycline is safe for people with an allergy to penicillin and is sometimes prescribed for infections in those who are sensitive to penicillin.

Both treatments are prescribed for patients suffering from acne, rosacea, or cystic acne. Both are tetracycline antibiotics and are very similar in price. They are both considered first-line treatments for acne by national guidelines and have very similar effects.

Oxytetracycline may be inconvenient for some people as it needs to be taken twice daily and should not be taken with food. Lymecycline only needs to be taken once a day so may be more convenient for some people.

Oxytetracycline and Doxycycline are both part of a family of medication called ‘tetracyclines’ but they are not exactly the same thing. Doxycycline is more fat soluble than Oxytetracycline, and is often prescribed for malaria prevention, as well as for acne.