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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Tetracycline

Antiinfective Agents for Systemic Use

Tetracycline is an antibiotic of the tetracyclines family of medications, sold under various brand names and used to treat a number of infections, including acne, cholera, brucellosis, plague, malaria and syphilis. It is available in oral and topical formulations. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, rash and loss of appetite; others include poor tooth development in children under eight years of age, kidney problems and easy sunburn, and use during pregnancy may harm the baby. It was patented in 1953 and approved for prescription use in 1954, and it is on the World Health Organization List of Essential Medicines. It was originally made from bacteria of the genus Streptomyces, its name comes from the four hydrocarbon rings of its structure, and it is now available as a generic medication.

Facts
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC Class
A: Alimentary Tract and Metabolism 2
ATC Class
D: Dermatologicals 2
ATC Class
J: Antiinfectives for Systemic Use 2
ATC Class
S: Sensory Organs 2
Route of Administration
Oral 1
Route of Administration
Topical 1
WHO Essential Medicine
Core List 3
First Approved / Isolated Year
1954 1
Sources
1. Tetracycline (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    approved for prescription use in 1954
  • Lead [route-of-administration]
    It is available in oral and topical formulations.
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2. RxNav RxClass, National Library of Medicine: RxClass ATC classes of Tetracycline
RxNav RxClass, National Library of Medicine
  • RxClass ATC class of the drug (levels 1 to 4); ATC class derived from cited code A01AB (main group A)
    "classId": "A01AB", "className": "Antiinfectives and antiseptics for local oral treatment", "classType": "ATC1-4"
  • RxClass ATC class of the drug (levels 1 to 4); ATC class derived from cited code D06AA (main group D)
    "classId": "D06AA", "className": "Tetracycline and derivatives", "classType": "ATC1-4"
  • RxClass ATC class of the drug (levels 1 to 4); ATC class derived from cited code J01AA (main group J)
    "classId": "J01AA", "className": "Tetracyclines", "classType": "ATC1-4"
  • RxClass ATC class of the drug (levels 1 to 4); ATC class derived from cited code S01AA (main group S)
    "classId": "S01AA", "className": "Antibiotics", "classType": "ATC1-4"
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3. World Health Organization: The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list
World Health OrganizationPDF page 58; section 21.1; the entry tetracycline is in the Core List of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list (2025)
Quote, PDF page 58; section 21.1; the entry tetracycline is in the Core List of the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list (2025)
tetracycline - chlortetracycline
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