Polfamycin (Brand name: Sumycin)

INDICATIONS

Polfamycin is used for treating infections caused by certain bacteria. Polfamycin is a tetracycline antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of sensitive bacteria by interfering with the production of proteins needed by the bacteria to grow. Slowing the bacteria's growth allows the body's defense mechanisms to destroy them.

INSTRUCTIONS 

Use Polfamycin as directed by your doctor.

• Take Polfamycin by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• Take Polfamycin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking Polfamycin.
• If you also take antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium; preparations containing bismuth, iron, zinc, or sodium bicarbonate; or calcium rich foods (eg, milk, dairy products, calcium-enriched juices), do not take them within 2 to 3 hours before or after taking Polfamycin. Check with your doctor if you have questions.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Polfamycin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
• If you miss a dose of Polfamycin, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Polfamycin.

STORAGE

Store Polfamycin at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Polfamycin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Tetracycline hydrochloride.

SAFETY INFORMATION

Do NOT use Polfamycin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Polfamycin or other tetracycline antibiotics (eg, doxycycline)
• you are taking acitretin or methoxyflurane.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Polfamycin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have diarrhea, a stomach infection, or kidney problems.

Some medicines may interact with Polfamycin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Acitretin or isotretinoin because side effects, such as increased pressure in the fluid surrounding the brain, may occur
• Digoxin, methotrexate, methoxyflurane, or oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Polfamycin
• Atovaquone, lithium, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or penicillins (eg, amoxicillin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Polfamycin.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Polfamycin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Important safety information:

• Polfamycin may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Polfamycin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possible unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Be sure to use Polfamycin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Polfamycin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Polfamycin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Do not use after expiration date. Outdated medicine is highly toxic to the kidneys.
• Long-term or repeated use of Polfamycin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Hormonal birth control (eg, birth control pills) may not work as well while you are using Polfamycin. To prevent pregnancy, use an extra form of birth control (eg, condoms).
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Polfamycin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use of Polfamycin in children may cause permanent discoloring of the teeth.
• Polfamycin should be used with extreme caution in children younger 8 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and beast-feeding: Polfamycin has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Polfamycin while you are pregnant. Polfamycin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Polfamycin.

SIDE EFFECTS

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

Black hairy tongue; blurred vision; bulky loose stools; diarrhea; difficulty swallowing; fever; headache; hives; hoarseness; indigestion; inflammation or redness of tongue; joint pain; loss of appetite; mouth sores; nausea; rash; sensitivity to sunlight; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling and itching of the rectum.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); infection (fever, chills, sore throat); itching; nausea; severe skin reaction to the sun; vaginal irritation or discharge; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.