Lymecycline (Generic) / Tetralysal 408mg Capsules

Acne Doctor Service

Tetralysal belongs to a group of medicines called tetracycline antibiotics, the main use of Tetralysal is to treat acne although this medicine can also be used to treat many other infections caused by bacteria.

If you are not sure why you have been prescribed this medicine, talk to your doctor. Lymecycline / Tetralysal Capsules are most often prescribed as a first line treatment for acne.

Acne appears as blackheads and whiteheads which people often refer to as pimples or spots.
Tetralysal attacks the bacteria that are one of the main causes of acne. The name of these bacteria is propionibacterium acnes.

You can order Lymecycline / Tetralysal 408mg Capsules online from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. To see if you are suitable for this treatment, complete the online assessment and checkout. Our UK registered doctors will review the order and after approval pass the prescription to the Pharmacy team. We will then dispense and dispatch your order to your chosen address.

Suitable For Adults & Children Over 12  Years Of Age

• The safety and efficacy of Lymecycline in children aged under 12 years of age have not been established.
• Do not give Lymecycline capsules to children below the age of 8. Lymecycline / Tetralysal should not be used in children under 8 years because of the risk to harm them.

Lymecycline / Tetralysal Capsules Alternatives

If you don’t feel Lymecycline tablets aren't right for you, there are a number of alternative approaches to treating acne.

While antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide treatments are first-line treatments in battling acne, gels like Duac, combine an antibiotic and the benzoyl peroxide, to provide a second line treatment, if benzoyl peroxide gels or antibiotics alone are not effective. Retinoid based treatments such as Differin and Epiduo gels are also available and are commonly issued by GPs to treat acne. Zineryt solution is an antibiotic solution and Acnecide, a Benzoyl peroxide cream.

• Differin - a retinoid gel
• Epiduo - a combined retinoid and benzoyl peroxide gel
• Zineryt - an antibiotic solution
• Acnecide - a benzoyl peroxide gel

A good self care guide and information for acne is available from the British Skin foundation and on the NHS websites. 

NHS - Acne

Although Acne is one of the most widespread skin conditions, it is also one of the most poorly understood. This results in many misconceptions and myths about what causes it, or how best to treat it. Some common myths are listed below.

"Acne is caused by a poor diet."
So far, research has not found any foods that cause acne.

"Acne is caused by having dirty skin and poor hygiene."
Most of the biological reactions that trigger acne occur beneath the skin, not on the surface, so the cleanliness of your skin will have no effect on your acne. Washing your face more than twice a day could just aggravate your skin and can sometimes result in worsening the symptoms.

"Squeezing blackheads, whiteheads and spots is the best way to get rid of acne."
This can often make symptoms worse. More importantly however, it can result in lifelong scarring. However tempting it is to pop a spot, (and we know it’s tempting!) it’s best not to.

ACNE HORMONES AND LIFESTYLE CHOICES: THE BIOLOGY BEHIND ACNE

Acne is a common skincare concern that can affect many of us throughout our adult lives – from our teenage years, through pregnancy and even later in life. But what causes acne to develop and are there any ways that you can help to reduce it? Here we take a look at some of the most common causes of acne and the solutions to try.

Lifestyle

There are a number of myths about acne and, contrary to popular belief, acne isn’t caused by poor diet or hygiene. The NHS advises that most of the biological reactions that trigger acne occur beneath the skin and so far, research has not found any foods that cause acne. This isn’t an excuse to eat badly, however, and a good well-balanced diet is always good for your overall health.

Hormones

Hormonal changes play a key role in the development of acne so it’s important to understand how these change throughout our lives. In puberty, our bodies create greater levels of testosterone to help maintain muscle and bone strength which can cause the glands on the skin to secrete more sebum. This blocks the pores, creating congestion and often leading to breakouts and acne.

Later on in our adult lives, periods and pregnancy can also create quite significant changes in our hormone levels which can lead to acne breakouts. Many women find that they’re more prone to a breakout before their period arrives, or during the first three months of pregnancy when hormone levels change rapidly. Other conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome can also have a similar effect on the skin.

Can birth control help with acne?

According to the NHS, hormonal therapies or the combined oral contraceptive pill can be an effective way of treating acne in women. This is due to the way that the pill reduces the circulation of androgens which help to control sebum production. Contraceptive medication must contain oestrogen and progesterone to improve acne so speak to your doctor if you are considering taking it for this reason.

Solutions and treatments

In order to find the right solution and treatment for your skin, it’s advisable to visit your doctor or dermatologist. A professional will be able to help you confirm whether or not you do have acne and, if so, how severe it is.

More serious cases of acne will require stronger treatments prescribed by a healthcare professional, while milder cases can often be improved with products from our Pharmacy.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

Possible Side Effects

If you experience any of the following stop taking these capsules immediately and see a doctor:

• swollen face, lips, tongue and throat,
• difficulty in breathing,
• hives,
• blistering or peeling of large areas of skin,
• ulcerations or lesions on the mouth, lips, genital or anal regions,
• severe or persistent headaches or visual disturbances.

Tetralysal may cause the following side effects. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• nausea (feeling sick)
• abdominal pain
• diarrhoea
• headache

For a full list of side effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, our Rightdose pharmacists or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can help to make medicines safer by reporting any side-effects to the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

Patient Information Leaflet Lymecycline / Tetralysal 408mg Capsules (Pack of 28)

Other medicines and Tetralysal

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• medicines to thin your blood e.g. warfarin
• diuretics (used to treat kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure)
• other medicines to treat acne.
• You should tell your doctor if you are taking any treatment with lithium, this medicine may increase the lithium levels.

Do not take the following medicines at the same time as your Tetralysal as these could affect how well your acne medicine works. Wait at least two hours after taking Tetralysal before you take these types of products.

• Do not take antacids containing aluminium, calcium or magnesium and products containing iron salts with Tetralysal, because these products reduce the absorption of tetracycline taken by mouth.
• Avoid use with penicillins (and other types of antibiotics), for the possible interference between the two products.
• supplements containing calcium, aluminium, magnesium, zinc or iron.
• quinapril (for high blood pressure)
• ulcer healing drugs
• indigestion remedies
• This medicinal product should not be used in combination with oral retinoids (medicinal products used for certain skin conditions) or doses of more than 10 000 IU/day of vitamin A.
  Should not be used with methoxyflurane (risk of fatal renal toxicity).

Lymecycline / Tetralysal with food and drink
Absorption of Tetralysal is not affected by moderate amounts of milk. Tetralysal capsules should always be taken with a glass of water.

Fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tetracyclines readily cross the placental barrier and are distributed into milk. Tetralysal must not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Use of medicines such as Tetralysal may affect the proper growth of developing teeth and lead to permanent discolouration.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines
Tetralysal is not known to affect the ability to drive or use machines.

How to store Lymecycline / Tetralysal Capsules

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original container.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

How to take Lymecycline / Tetralysal Capsules

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. The correct dose will be shown on the label which your pharmacist has placed on the container. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Suitable for adults and children over 12  years of age and over.

• The safety and efficacy of Lymecycline in children aged under 12 years of age have not been established.
• Do not give Lymecycline capsules to children below the age of 8. Lymecycline / Tetralysal should not be used in children under 8 years because of the risk to harm them.

Acne
The normal dose is one Tetralysal capsule once a day, preferably in the morning.

• Tetralysal capsules should always be taken with a glass of water.
• Please tear the aluminium strip carefully to remove the capsule.

How long you will have to take Tetralysal, will depend on how quickly your condition improves. For acne, this will normally be at least 8 weeks.

Infections
The normal dose is one Tetralysal capsule twice a day. Your doctor may give a lower or higher dose depending on the severity and type of infection. Ask your doctor if you are unsure. Tetralysal capsules should always be taken with a glass of water.

If you take more Tetralysal than you should
If you, or anyone else, take too many Tetralysal capsules, phone your doctor for advice or go to your nearest hospital so that medical staff are made aware of the problem. Don't forget to take the container with you. This could indicate how many capsules have been taken.

If you forget to take Tetralysal
Do not worry if you forget to take your Tetralysal at the right time. Take it when you remember and carry on as before unless it is time for the next dose. Do not double up the dose to make up for a forgotten capsule. You should never take more capsules than your doctor recommends.

If you stop taking Tetralysal
Acne responds slowly to antibiotics. It is important that you take all the Tetralysal that your doctor has prescribed for you. If you stop taking Tetralysal too soon, your acne or infection could get worse or come back.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not take Tetralysal if:

• you are to lymecycline or to other tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.
• if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. An allergic reaction may include either a rash or itching.
• you have ever had kidney disease.
• you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• Tetralysal must not be taken at the same time as medicines which contain oral retinoids (these include some other medicines used to treat acne).

Tetralysal must not be given to children under 8 years of age.

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tetralysal.

Tell your doctor before taking Tetralysal if you have

• hepatic impairment or renal insufficiency (failure of liver and kidney function).
• suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (an allergic condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes or fever) or Myasthenia Gravis (a disease that weakens the muscles). Overdosing might result in liver problems.

You should avoid direct exposure to sunlight or artificial sunlight from sunbeds. If you experience skin discomfort then stop taking this medicine and seek advice from your doctor.

• Do not use this medicine if the expiry date has passed, expired Tetralysal can cause kidney disorder.

As with other antibiotics, treatment with tetracycline can cause secondary bacterial or mycotic infections (fungal). There is in particular the possibility of resistant staphylococcal enterocolitis (inflammation of the small intestine and colon due to bacteria that are resistant to the therapeutic action of the drug).

• Should you undergo cycles of prolonged treatment with Tetralysal, your doctor will prescribe regular checks of blood composition and liver and kidney function.
• Take the medicine with adequate amounts of water to avoid irritation or ulceration of the oesophagus.

For a full list of side effects, precautions and warnings, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

What Lymecycline / Tetralysal Capsules contains

The active substance is Lymecycline. Each capsule contains 408mg of Lymecycline. The other ingredients are Magnesium stearate and Colloidal hydrated silica.

The capsule shells contain Gelatin, Titanium dioxide (E171), Erythrosine (E127), Quinoline yellow (E104) and Indigotine (E132).

What Tetralysal looks like and contents of the pack

Tetralysal capsules are red and yellow. Tetralysal is available in a carton containing 28 or 56 capsules packed in polyethylene/foil blisters. Each blister strip contains 4 capsules and there are 7 or 14 blister strips in each carton.
A carton containing 28 capsules in PVC/foil blisters (14 capsules in two calendar strips) is also approved. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.