Oxytetracycline
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It is very important to correctly treat an infection. A tetracycline can be used in pregnancy if a doctor recommends it.
What are they?
The tetracyclines are antibiotics. Tetracyclines prescribed in the UK include tetracycline, demeclocycline, doxycycline, lymecycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline and tigecycline. Doxycycline may also be prescribed to prevent malaria.
Benefits
What are the benefits of using a tetracycline in pregnancy?
A tetracycline can treat many types of bacterial infection and prevent serious complications for both the woman and her baby.
Doxycycline can prevent malaria. This is important as malaria infection can be life-threatening and has been linked to stillbirth, preterm delivery, low infant birth weight, and death of the baby after birth.
Risks
What are the risks of using a tetracycline in pregnancy?
Tetracycline use in early pregnancy is not known to harm the baby.
Tetracyclines tend to be avoided after about 13 weeks of pregnancy as they can affect the baby’s developing milk teeth, causing them to be discoloured when they come through. However, a tetracycline may occasionally be used after 13 weeks of pregnancy if it is the only suitable antibiotic to treat a serious infection.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking a tetracycline in pregnancy?
Possibly, although alternative antibiotics may not work as well for some types of infection. If a tetracycline is recommended, a doctor will be able to discuss why it is the best treatment.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines in pregnancy?
It is important that an infection in pregnancy is well-treated as it can lead to very unpleasant symptoms, as well as serious complications for both mother and baby.
A doctor will only prescribe medicines when necessary and will be happy to talk about any concerns.
Will I or my baby need extra monitoring?
As part of routine antenatal care, most women will be offered a very detailed scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s development. No extra monitoring for major birth defects is required following use of a tetracycline.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken a tetracycline?
There is no evidence that tetracycline used by the father can harm the baby through effects on the sperm.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions about the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.