Antibacterial actions

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Chlortetracycline (Aureomycin), Ox tetracycline (Terramycin) and tetracycline (Achromycin) are very closely related substances which for practical purposes show no difference in their antibacterial actions. Their range of activity is extensive and this has led to the tetracycline’s being known as broad-spectrum antibiotics. This is offset to some extent by their action being bacteriostatics. This is offset to some extent by their action bacteriostatic and not bactericidal. For an adult an average dose is 250mg. This is sufficient to combat most sensitive organisms. If the patient is seriously ill, or the organism relatively resistant, larger dose may be rarely indicated but the daily total should not exceed 2 g. Oral administration is adequate unless the patient is vomiting or comatose, when parenteral therapy will be required.