Prescription medication · Tetracycline Antibiotic
tetracycline
Also sold as Sumycin. Tetracycline treats many kinds of infections caused by bacteria.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 741
- FDA reportsRarely reported
- 12
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- $0.53
- Generic price (NADAC)
What the data shows
tetracycline (Sumycin) is a prescription Tetracycline Antibiotic, among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (741 FDA reports), with 12 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
tetracycline (Sumycin) is a prescription Tetracycline Antibiotic. Tetracycline treats many kinds of infections caused by bacteria.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacteria in your body to treat different types of infections.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.53/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
NADAC price trail: TETRACYCLINE 250 MG CAPSULE
Same CMS presentation as the headline generic unit price above (2 effective dates). Adjacent % compares consecutive NADAC releases for this description only, not a patient out-of-pocket quote. Latest step: -8.1% vs prior release.
| Effective | NADAC / unit | vs prior | NDCs |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 17, 2024 | $0.5745/EA | - | 1 |
| December 18, 2024 | $0.5277/EA | -8.1% | 8 |
What it does
Tetracycline treats many kinds of infections caused by bacteria.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Tetracycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration if used during tooth development.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from tetracycline's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Tetracycline works by stopping bacteria from growing and multiplying. It prevents the bacteria from making proteins they need to survive. This helps your body's immune system fight off the infection.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 741 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for tetracycline, by number of reports
- Drug Hypersensitivity
Drug Hypersensitivity
151 reports
- Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity
123 reports
- Pneumonia
Pneumonia
103 reports
- Pain In Extremity
Pain In Extremity
93 reports
- Arthralgia
Arthralgia
90 reports
- Mobility Decreased
Mobility Decreased
89 reports
- Neck Pain
Neck Pain
88 reports
- Hepatitis
Hepatitis
84 reports
- Vomiting
Vomiting
83 reports
- Urticaria
Urticaria
82 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for tetracycline each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where tetracycline sits
tetracycline has more FDA adverse-event reports than 5% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is tetracycline; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 741 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
741
Reports Mentioning Death
199
26.9% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
268
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY | 151 |
| 3 | HYPERSENSITIVITY | 123 |
| 4 | PNEUMONIA | 103 |
| 6 | PAIN IN EXTREMITY | 93 |
| 7 | ARTHRALGIA | 90 |
| 8 | MOBILITY DECREASED | 89 |
| 9 | NECK PAIN | 88 |
| 10 | HEPATITIS | 84 |
| 12 | VOMITING | 83 |
| 13 | URTICARIA | 82 |
| 14 | FALL | 81 |
| 15 | MUSCULAR WEAKNESS | 81 |
| 16 | NAUSEA | 81 |
| 17 | GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE | 80 |
| 18 | INJURY | 80 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Tetracycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration if used during tooth development. This means it should not be used in pregnant women or children under 8 years old. Tetracycline can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so avoid prolonged sun exposure.
Known Drug Interactions
albuterol, systemic and inhaled mebendazole amoxicillin medroxyprogesterone ampicillin, with or without sulbactam methylprednisolone atenolol metronidazole azithromycin metoprolol caffeine, dietary ingestion nadolol cefaclor nifedipine co-trimoxazole (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole) nizatidine diltiazem norfloxacin dirithromycin ofloxacin enflurane omeprazole famotidine prednisone, prednisolone felodipine ranitidine finasteride rifabutin hydrocortisone roxithromycin isoflurane Sorbitol (purgative doses do not inhibit theophylline absorption) isoniazid sucralfate isradipine terbutaline,...
Mechanism: This antibiotic does not significantly change how fast your liver breaks down theophylline, so the drug levels in your blood should stay the same.
Drug Interactions Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron-containing preparations.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines belong to the same family of antibiotics, which can increase the risk of side effects without helping you get better faster.
Drug Interactions Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracyclines in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron-containing preparations.
Mechanism: These drugs are very similar and work in the same way, so taking them together can lead to too much medicine in your system and more side effects.
Drug Interactions Because tetracyclines have been shown to depress plasma prothrombin activity, patients who are on anticoagulant therapy may require downward adjustment of their anticoagulant dosage. Since bacteriostatic drugs may interfere with the bactericidal action of penicillin, it is advisable to avoid giving tetracycline-class drugs in conjunction with penicillin. Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium, and iron-containing preparations.
Mechanism: Both of these medications are in the same antibiotic family and work the same way. Taking them together increases the risk of side effects without helping to fight the infection any better.
Absorption of tetracyclines is impaired by antacids containing aluminum, calcium or magnesium and preparations containing iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate.
Mechanism: Zinc can bind to the antibiotic in your stomach and prevent it from being soaked up by your body. This makes the antibiotic less effective at fighting infections.
This is a plain-language summary of FDA-label interaction records and does not provide individual medication-combination directions.
Common Questions
Can I take tetracycline with food?
What should I do if I experience stomach upset while taking tetracycline?
Can tetracycline affect my birth control?
How long should I take tetracycline?
Can I drink alcohol while taking tetracycline?
What if I am allergic to tetracycline?
Can tetracycline cause yeast infections?
Does tetracycline interact with other medications?
What happens if I take too much tetracycline?
Can tetracycline make me more sensitive to the sun?
What are the common side effects of tetracycline?
Does tetracycline interact with other medications?
What drug class is tetracycline?
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for tetracycline?
Related Medications in Tetracycline Antibiotic
Other drugs grouped near tetracycline - same-class peers and common alternatives.
amikacin
Amikin
Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.
Compare with tetracycline →
amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.
Compare with tetracycline →
amoxicillin/clavulanate
Augmentin
Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.
Compare with tetracycline →
ampicillin/sulbactam
Unasyn
Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.
Compare with tetracycline →
azithromycin
Zithromax, Z-Pack
Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.
Compare with tetracycline →
Compare beyond drug class
Nationwide peers by FAERS volume & death-report share
Two PlainMeds-derived comparison paths for tetracycline: nearest FDA FAERS report volume and nearest death-report share among drugs with at least 1,000 logged reports, excluding same-class neighbors listed above. Counts reflect reporting volume, not proven individual harm.
Similar FAERS report volume
Nearest drugs by total FAERS reports. This record: 741.
Similar death-report share
Nearest drugs by FAERS death-report share. This record: 26.86%.
- tigecycline Δ 0.31 pts · 5,878 reports · Glycylcycline Antibiotic 27.17%death share
- atomoxetine Δ 0.37 pts · 3,228 reports · Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor 27.23%death share
- morphine Δ 0.63 pts · 72,146 reports · Opioid Analgesic 27.48%death share
- rivastigmine Δ 1.58 pts · 17,976 reports · Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor 25.28%death share
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Save on tetracycline
Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.
Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.
What the FDA Data Shows for tetracycline
The FDA label for tetracycline (sold under brand names such as Sumycin) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Tetracycline Antibiotic class. Tetracycline treats many kinds of infections caused by bacteria. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 741 voluntary reports. The database also lists 12 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.53.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.
Last updated: June 19, 2025
PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages