Last update Sept. 8, 2025

Tetracycline

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Tetracycline is a bacteriostatic antibacterial agent with a broad spectrum of activity against multiple infections, including protozoal infections. Oral administration in 4 doses daily.

It is excreted in breast milk in clinically insignificant amounts. (Matsuda 1984, Gruner1955, Posner 1954)

Intestinal absorption by the infant is greatly reduced due to the formation of unabsorbable chelates with milk calcium. No problems have been observed in infants whose mothers took it (Prakash 1990, Posner 1954). Plasma levels in these infants were undetectable. (Posner 1954)

With prolonged use (more than 3-4 weeks), such as in the treatment of acne, there may be a risk of affecting the growth cartilage, tooth coloration, or intestinal flora of the infant, so an alternative is preferable.

Consider the possibility of gastroenteritis due to alteration of the intestinal flora.

Expert authors consider the use of this medication acceptable during breastfeeding, especially for treatments lasting less than 3-4 weeks. (Hale, LactMed, Briggs 2015, Schaefer 2015)

American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding. (AAP 2001)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Tetracycline since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Tetracycline is also known as


Tetracycline in other languages or writings:

Group

Tetracycline belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Tetracycline in its composition:

List of 43 tradenames

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 60 - 80 %
Molecular weight 444 daltons
Protein Binding 20 - 67 %
Tmax 1.5 - 4 hours
T½ 6 - 12 hours
M/P ratio 0.6 - 1.5 -
Theoretical Dose 0.4 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 1.2 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0.8 - 1.5 %

References

  1. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Internet. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ 2006 - Consulted on April 16, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  3. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  4. Schaefer C, Peters P, Miller RK. Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation. Treatment options and risk assessment. Elsevier, Third Edition. 2015
  5. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  6. Rowe H, Baker T, Hale TW. Maternal medication, drug use, and breastfeeding. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):275-94. Abstract
  7. ASGE Standard of Practice Committee., Shergill AK, Ben-Menachem T, Chandrasekhara V, Chathadi K, Decker GA, Evans JA, Early DS, Fanelli RD, Fisher DA, Foley KQ, Fukami N, Hwang JH, Jain R, Jue TL, Khan KM, Lightdale J, Pasha SF, Sharaf RN, Dominitz JA, Cash BD. Guidelines for endoscopy in pregnant and lactating women. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012 Jul;76(1):18-24. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  8. Mitrano JA, Spooner LM, Belliveau P. Excretion of antimicrobials used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections during lactation: safety in breastfeeding infants. Pharmacotherapy. 2009 Sep;29(9):1103-9. Abstract
  9. Mahadevan U, Kane S. American gastroenterological association institute technical review on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy. Gastroenterology. 2006 Jul;131(1):283-311. Review. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. Niebyl JR. Antibiotics and other anti-infective agents in pregnancy and lactation. Am J Perinatol. 2003 Abstract
  11. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  12. Chin KG, McPherson CE 3rd, Hoffman M, Kuchta A, Mactal-Haaf C. Use of anti-infective agents during lactation: Part 2--Aminoglycosides, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, and metronidazole. J Hum Lact. 2001 Feb;17(1):54-65. Abstract
  13. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  14. Spencer J. Use of systemic tetracyclines in women who are lactating. Am Fam Physician. 1998 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  15. Ito S, Blajchman A, Stephenson M, Eliopoulos C, Koren G. Prospective follow-up of adverse reactions in breast-fed infants exposed to maternal medication. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1993 May;168(5):1393-9. Abstract
  16. Fulton B, Moore LL. Antiinfectives in breastmilk. Part II: Sulfonamides, tetracyclines, macrolides, aminoglycosides and antimalarials. J Hum Lact. 1992 Dec;8(4):221-3. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  17. Prakash O, Mathur GP, Kushwaha KP, Singh YD. Drug exposure in pregnant and lactating mothers in periurban areas. Indian Pediatr. 1990 Abstract
  18. Matsuda S. Transfer of antibiotics into maternal milk. Biol Res Pregnancy Perinatol. 1984;5(2):57-60. Abstract
  19. Hendeles L, Trask PA. Tetracycline and lactation. J Am Dent Assoc. 1983 Abstract
  20. Gruner JM. [The excretion of terramycin and tetracycline in human milk]. Geburtshilfe Frauenheld (in: Lactmed 2015). 1955 Abstract
  21. Posner AC, Prigot A, Konicoff NG. Further observations on the use of tetracycline hydrochloride in prophylaxis and treatment of obstetric infections. Antibiot Annu 1954:594–8 (cit.: Hale, LactMed, Briggs 2015, AAP 2001

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