Petracin 250 mg Capsule

Tetracycline antibiotic for:

• Acne and rosacea
• Chest infections, atypical pneumonia
• Chlamydia, non-gonococcal urethritis
• Cholera
• Brucellosis, rickettsial infections
• H. pylori eradication (bismuth-based quadruple therapy)
• Eye ointment: trachoma, bacterial eye infections

Adults: 250–500 mg every 6 hours (maximum 4 g/day in severe infections).

• Acne: 250–500 mg twice daily for at least 3 months.
• Cholera: 500 mg every 6 hours for 3 days (or as per guidelines).
• H. pylori quadruple therapy: 500 mg four times daily for 10–14 days.

Eye ointment: apply 2–4 times daily.

Children over 12 years: adult dose; avoid under 12 years.

• Take on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after food) with a full glass of water, sitting upright; avoid milk, antacids, iron and calcium within 2–3 hours.

• Allergy to tetracyclines
• Children under 12 years (permanent tooth staining)
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Severe kidney impairment
• Systemic lupus

Common: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, sun sensitivity, thrush.

Less common: oesophageal irritation/ulcer (if taken lying down), rash.

Rare but serious: raised brain pressure (headache, blurred vision), liver damage, worsening kidney function, severe allergic reactions, C. difficile colitis, tooth discolouration in children.

• Avoid strong sunlight.
• Never take expired tetracycline (risk of kidney damage).
• Kidney or liver disease: avoid or use lower doses.

Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding (affects the baby's teeth and bones).

• Antacids, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, milk (reduce absorption)
• Isotretinoin and retinoids (raised brain pressure)
• Warfarin (bleeding risk)
• Methotrexate, lithium, digoxin (levels may rise)
• Penicillins (may reduce their effect)

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; liver or kidney injury rarely. Supportive care.

Store below 30°C, dry, protected from light. Do not use after the expiry date.