Tetralysal
- Commonly used to treat acne
- Very effectively reduces redness and skin inflammation
- One of the most effective Acne treatments
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What is Tetralysal?
Tetralysal is an oral medication. It is the brand name for Lymecycline, which is a broad-spectrum tetracycline antibiotic.
Tetralysal's active ingredient is lymecycline, which is absorbed via an active transport process across the intestinal wall.
You are only able to buy Tetralysal capsules when you have a prescription from your doctor. On prescription, it is available to be bought from a UK registered pharmacy, such as Medicine Direct.
What is Tetralysal used for?
Tetralysal is very commonly used to treat acne. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, this medicine is very effective at reducing the redness and inflammation caused by outbreaks, making it one of the most effective acne treatments available.
Aside from acne break outs, the properties within Tetralysal capsules are also beneficial for treating the formation of blackheads and whiteheads. These capsules are very effective at fighting against bacteria; by stopping the build up of bacteria in the body, Tetralysal can rapidly diminish the appearance and formation of spots.
This course of acne treatment usually lasts for a minimum of 8 weeks.
Who can take Tetralysal?
Tetracycline antibiotics such as Tetralysal are some of the most common medicines used to treat acne, but they are not suitable for everyone.
In order to ensure that this medicine is safe for you to use, you should speak to your doctor before you use Tetralysal if one or more of the below applies to you:
- You have lupus
- You have kidney problems
- You have liver problems
- You have myasthenia gravis
- You have had an allergic reaction to lymecycline or any other medicine in the past
Tetralysal is not usually recommended as a treatment for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You should inform your doctor if you are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are currently breastfeeding. Your doctor may give you a prescription for a different form of treatment for your acne, which may be more suitable for your condition.
While it is widely prescribed to treat teenage acne, it is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, you should speak to your doctor before you start to use this treatment.
Possible side effects
As with all medicines, Tetralysal comes with the risk of certain side effects.
Not everyone will experience side effects while taking Tetralysal capsules, but you should speak to your doctor if any of these common adverse reactions concern you or don't go away. Do not stop taking the treatment without consulting your doctor:
- Stomach pain
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Visual disturbances
- Feeling sick
This list is not exhaustive. For a full list of more serious adverse effects from Tetralysal capsules, you should refer to the Side Effects tab on this page.
Tetralysal Dosage
Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE prescribing guidelines when prescribing Tetralysal Capsules.
The usual recommended dose for this medication is 300mg. You should always follow your doctor's instructions precisely and always ensure you read the information leaflet that will come with your capsules, before you start to take the medicine.
You should take one capsule each day, ideally in the morning.
These capsules should always be swallowed whole with a drink of water.
There are no specific instructions as to whether you should take this tablet with food or not, but you are less likely to feel sick if you take it with a meal.
If you are taking Tetralysal to treat acne, you will normally be recommended to take it for at least 8 weeks. Your treatment should be reviewed after three months, to determine whether your acne treatment has been effective. If you have not noticed an improvement after this time, your doctor will probably suggest a different course of treatment.
For the most effective treatment, Tetralysal capsules should be used alongside a non-antibiotic topical treatment; this will decrease the chance of resistance of bacteria in your body. Your doctor may give you a prescription for one of these treatments.
It can be combined with certain over the counter creams that contain benzoyl peroxide for a more effective treatment, also.
What if I take too much?
An extra dose of Tetralysal is unlikely to harm you, but you should speak to your doctor if you become concerned or take more than one extra dose of the medicine.
What if I forget to take it?
If you miss a dose accidentally, don't worry; just take it as soon as you remember to, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose of Tetralysal.
If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, you should skip the missed dose altogether.
Never take a double dose of medicine to try and make up for missing out a dose.
To ensure you do not forget to take your dose, it is best to take Tetralysal at the same time every day, so you get into the routine of taking it. Some people also find it helpful to set an alarm as a reminder to take it.
Tetralysal FAQ's
How does Tetralysal work?
How do I buy Tetralysal online?
Why can I only buy 3 months' worth of Tetralysal at one time?
Should I take Tetralysal with food?
Is it safe to purchase online?
How long does it take for Tetralysal (lymecycline) to work?
Can I use other acne treatments with Tetralysal?
How severe should my acne be to take Tetralysal?
Will it affect my contraception pill?
Can you drink alcohol while taking it?
Does this treatment cause hair loss?
Does lymecycline kill good bacteria?
What if Tetralysal doesn't work?
If I stop taking Tetralysal will my acne return?
Is it only effective for acne on the face?
Can it cause weight gain?
I can't swallow capsules; can I open the capsules up?
I'm under 18, can I take this medicine?
It has cleared up my acne but now it's come back, can I use it again?
Is there anything else I can do to help clear up my acne?
Certain lifestyle changes can help to ease your acne symptoms:
- Avoid using too much makeup and cosmetics.
- Never pick or squeeze blackheads or spots; this can leave scarring and make them worse.
- Do not wash the affected areas more than twice a day as this can irritate your skin.
- Remove makeup before you go to bed.
- Shower as soon as you can after exercising.
- Wash your hair regularly and try to stop your hair from falling across your face
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as foods that contain zinc and vitamins A, E and C.
- Wash your face in lukewarm water; excessively hot or cold water can make acne worse.
Tetralysal Serious Side Effects
Common side effects from taking Tetralysal can be found on the main product page.
In rare cases, people can experience more serious side effects as a result of taking this medicine.
If you get any of the below, you should stop taking the medicine immediately and call a doctor:
- Your skin becomes sensitive to sunlight
- You have pale stools, dark urine or the whites of your eyes turn yellow (could be symptoms of a liver problem)
Some people may also experience a severe allergic reaction to Tetralysal. If any of the below symptoms occur, you should either call 999 or go to A&E immediately as you might require urgent treatment in hospital:
- You find it difficult to breathe or talk
- You have swelling of the mouth, tongue, face, lips or throat
- You have a skin rash that is itchy, red, swollen, blistering or peeling
- You are wheezing
- You have tightness in the chest or throat
This list of side effects may not be exhaustive. Please refer to the Patient information leaflet that will come with your prescription for complete details.
Tetralysal Warnings and drug interactions
Tetralysal may interact with other medicines, which could impact the drug's effectiveness.
Before you start using the medicine, inform your doctor if you are using any of the following medications:
- Blood thinners
- Iron supplements
- Supplements that contain aluminium, bismuth, calcium, magnesium or zinc
- Diuretic tablets
- Epilepsy medicines
- Antacids
- Quinapril
- Acne medicines that contain vitamin A
For more information on mediicnes that interact with Tetralysal Capsules.
Before taking any new medicines, you should always inform your doctor if you are currently taking any prescription or non-prescription medicine, herbal remedies, supplements or vitamins.
Because Tetralysal can cause visual disturbances, it is not advised that you drive or operate machinery if you experience this side effect.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Tetracyclines such as Tetralysal (Lymecycline) are not usually prescribed to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your should always inform your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant while taking Lymecycline.
Your doctor will assess your condition and weigh the benefits against the risks of you taking Lymecycline during pregnacy and breastfeeding.
Tetralysal Ingredients
The active ingredient in this medicine is lymecycline 408mg.
Inactive ingredients are: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), erythrosine (E127), quinoline yellow (E104) and indigotine (E132).
| Delivery Company | Delivery Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
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Standard UK Tracked | £2.99 | 3 - 4 Working Day Delivery |
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Next Day Delivery - Tracked | £5.95 | Order by 2pm (subject to Dr approval) Next Working Day Delivery |
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Next Day Tracked Morning Delivery by 12:00pm | £12.95 | Next Working Day Morning Delivery by 12:00pm |
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Tracked Saturday Delivery | £9.95 |
Delivery specified for Saturday Order Friday by 2pm (subject to Dr approval) |
Please note that next day delivery to Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands & Islands and British Isles cannot be guaranteed. Please contact our team for more information.
Written by: Hussain Abdeh MPharm: 2211840
Published on: 12/10/2020
Updated on: 17/05/2021
This content has been written by our Superintendent Pharmacist Hussain Abdeh and has been medically reviewed by our Pharmacist Sonia Khan
Hussain Abdeh
MPharm: 2211840
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
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