Tetracycline Dosage Guide

If your doctor prescribed tetracycline, you probably wonder how much to take and when. Getting the dose right matters for curing the infection and keeping side effects low. Below is a plain‑English rundown of the most common dosing schedules, how to adjust for weight, age, and health conditions, and a few tips to make the medicine work better.

Standard Adult Dosing

For most infections, adults start with 250 mg every 6 hours (four times a day) or 500 mg every 12 hours (twice a day). The exact schedule depends on the bug you’re fighting and how severe the infection is.

  • Acne: 250 mg twice a day for 3‑6 months.
  • Respiratory infections: 500 mg every 12 hours for 7‑14 days.
  • Lyme disease (early stage): 500 mg twice daily for 10‑21 days.

Take the pill with a full glass of water and stay upright for at least 30 minutes. This helps prevent irritation of the throat and esophagus.

Pediatric and Special Cases

Kids don’t get the same flat dose as adults. Doctors usually calculate the amount based on weight: 25‑50 mg per kilogram per day, split into 2‑4 doses. For example, a 30 kg child would get roughly 750‑1500 mg per day, divided by the chosen dosing interval.

Special groups need extra care:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Tetracycline can affect fetal bone growth and cause teeth staining in newborns. It’s generally avoided unless the benefit outweighs the risk.
  • People with liver disease: The drug is cleared slower, so doctors may lower the dose by 25‑50 %.
  • Elderly: Kidney function often drops with age, so a reduced dose or longer interval may be needed.

Always tell your doctor about any other meds you’re taking. Antacids, calcium supplements, and iron can bind tetracycline in your gut and make it less effective. Space those out by at least two hours.

Side effects like nausea, sun sensitivity, and an upset stomach are common. To cut down on tummy trouble, you can take the dose with food, but avoid dairy products right around the time you swallow the pill because calcium interferes with absorption.

If you notice a rash, severe diarrhea, or feel unusually dizzy, stop the medication and call your healthcare provider. Those could be signs of an allergic reaction or a more serious issue.

Finish the entire prescription, even if you feel better after a few days. Stopping early can let bacteria survive and become resistant, making future infections harder to treat.

In short, the right tetracycline dosage depends on your age, weight, infection type, and any health conditions you have. Follow the schedule your doctor gives you, stay hydrated, keep dairy and antacids away for a couple of hours, and watch for side effects. When you do that, tetracycline is a reliable tool to clear up many bacterial infections.